Cullen boost for champions Leinster

THE timing of Leo Cullen’s recovery from injury could hardly be more appropriate as Leinster go in search of further Magners League glory at the RDS this weekend.

Leinster take on ever-improving Ulster on Sunday (5.30pm) when team captain Cullen will be joined in a squad of 27 players by South Africa’s World Cup winning prop forward CJ van der Linde and Ireland’s Grand Slam hero Gordon D’Arcy.

Leinster coach Michael Cheika expects D’Arcy to have a spring in his step, pointing out that Brian O’Driscoll’s midfield partner had no right to a rest having played so little top class rugby this year.

D’Arcy only recovered from a broken arm, a series of operations and assorted setbacks just a few weeks before Ireland launched that hugely successful Six Nations campaign.

Cheika, tongue firmly in cheek, feels D’Arcy owes Leinster, stating: “I think Gordon is rested enough for one season; he’s keen to play though, he has expressed an interest. We use a formula where we work out who has played enough football and who hasn’t. Gordon comes into the latter category.

“He has been given some time off early this week; he won’t come back until later and that’s ok because it’s a Sunday game. We have a bit of extra time to prepare and he’s happy to play. When players (like that) express a desire to play, then we pick them.”

Meanwhile, Cheika hopes that Luke Fitzgerald, who suffered a shoulder injury in Cardiff at the weekend, will be back quickly.

The coach said: “It’s certainly not a long-term issue; he went for scans as a precaution but I honestly think there’s nothing serious involved. I would have heard by now if there was anything big to worry about.”

Cheika admitted he had to juggle selection a bit to allow other international players a rest before next week’s encounter against leaders Munster at Thomond Park, a match that could possibly double as a Magners League decider and a dress-rehearsal (for both clubs) prior to Heineken Cup quarter-finals the following week.

But Cheika is in a happy place. He said: “We’re getting close, real close, for the first time this season, to having everyone available. If everyone comes through this week, then next week might be the first time when we get to have the whole squad to pick from. It’s a good place to be in.”

The next three games are huge from Leinster’s perspective, said Cheika. “In terms of retaining the Magners League title, it’s huge and we will only get one chance in the Heineken Cup tie with Harlequins.

“It’s going to be an interesting balance of who plays and when. The first battle against Ulster is going to be a big test and they are very confident after their win over Munster at Thomond. They would see beating us and doing the double as a huge boost, so I know they will be very determined.

“There are three very big weeks ahead, for sure, but all we can do is look forward and approach them in a positive mood.”

LEINSTER: C Healy, R McCormack, B Blaney, J Fogarty, B Jackman, S Knoop, S Wright, CJ van der Linde, L Cullen, T Hogan, D Toner, M O’Kelly, R Elsom, C Jowitt, S Jennings, S O’Brien, S Keogh, P O’Donoghue, C Whitaker, F Contepomi, J Sexton, S Keogh, I Nacewa, G D’Arcy, F McFadden, E O’Malley, S Horgan, G Brown, G Dempsey.