Back to the future for Contepomi

FELIPE Contepomi is likely to be given the full back's jersey for Leinster in Monday's Celtic League clash with Ulster at Donnybrook (5.05pm).

Argentinian international Contepomi will almost certainly take over from Girvan Dempsey, who is rested, and it is further evidence of his value to the squad as a utility player who can roam between out half, centre and the number 15 position.

Leinster hope to strengthen their challenge for the league title and coach Declan Kidney is certain to name a strong side from a panel of 28 players named yesterday.

That group will be culled to 22 tomorrow but Brian O'Driscoll and Gordon'Darcy are certain to feature. Shane Horgan and Denis Hickie return to the squad after missing last weekend's victory in Cardiff, while Leo Cullen and Reggie Corrigan are also included alongside Malcolm O'Kelly, Shane Jennings, David Holwell and Contepomi. Dempsey is rested, while Gary Brown misses out because of injury.

Tickets for the game are available from Spar (Donnybrook) and cash will be taken at the turnstiles.

Munster coach Alan Gaffney has also named a strong 25 man squad for the Celtic League trip to Galway on Monday, although half backs Ronan O'Gara and Peter Stringer are rested.

Mike Mullins is also out of the equation with Jason Holland coming back into the squad. Paul Burke takes over from O'Gara with the scrum half position up for grabs between Eoin Reddan and Mike Prendergast.

There is also a return for Anthony Horgan, while John Hayes, Paul O'Connell, Stephen Keogh and Anthony Foley are all included after missing last week's narrow win over Neath/Swansea Ospreys, which resulted in Munster joining the Ospreys at the top of the Celtic League table.

Ospreys number eight Ryan Jones has escaped a ban following his red card against Munster. A Welsh Rugby Union disciplinary hearing ruled that the sending-off was sufficient punishment.

Jones was expected to miss the start of the Six Nations in February and has been told to keep his discipline by Wales coach Mike Ruddock.

"Hopefully the boy will learn that poor discipline could count against him in future selections," Ruddock said.

"I spoke to Ryan and told him we weren't particularly happy with the fact that he'd been sent off, the Ospreys weren't happy and he wasn't happy himself.

"He's a young kid, he's got a big future in front of him and I'm sure he'll learn from it."

Meanwhile, Connacht will be hoping Munster go to the dogs on Monday as they bid for their first win over Alan Gaffney's side since the game went professional.

Connacht Rugby and the Irish Greyhound Board - who share the Sportsground in Galway - have teamed up to produce a unique sporting double.

First up will be the Celtic League clash at 2 pm and then directly afterwards there will be a ten race greyhound card.

One of the races has been named for the event, with big interest expected in the fourth race - the 'Connacht Rugby Munster Buster'.

MUNSTER: C Cullen; S Payne; M Lawlor; J Storey; P Devlin; J Holland; R Henderson; A Horgan; P Burke; E Reddan; M Prendergast; M Horan; J Hayes; M Storey; G McIlwham; F Sheahan; J Flannery; P O'Connell; D O'Callaghan; T Hogan; D Leamy; S Keogh; A Quinlan; J Williams; A Foley.

LEINSTER (from): Forwards: R Corrigan (Captain), J Lyne, S Byrne, D Blaney, G Hickie, E Byrne, R Nebbett, L Cullen, B Gissing, M O'Kelly, C Potts, A McCullen, V Costello, S Jennings, E Miller.

Backs: B O'Meara, G Easterby, B O'Riordan, D Holwell, K Lewis, D Quinlan, G D'Arcy, B O'Driscoll, S Horgan, D Hickie, F Contepomi, J McWeeney.