Leinster duo face fitness battle

LEINSTER will be sweating on the latest injury updates today for back-rowers Jamie Heaslip and Sean O’Brien ahead of this Saturday’s Heineken Cup rematch with ASM Clermont Auvergne at the Aviva Stadium.

Both forwards picked up knocks during Sunday’s initial Pool Two meeting at Stade Marcel Michelin, which the French side won 20-13 with No. 8 Heaslip suffering an ankle injury and flanker O’Brien requiring extensive treatment for a first-half blow, believed to be in the rib area, although a Leinster spokesman was last night unable to confirm the exact location of the problem.

With backs Luke Fitzgerald and Rob Kearney already ruled out due to injuries suffered on international duty last month and skipper Brian O’Driscoll also absent at the weekend with a jaw injury and remaining a doubt for this Saturday, head coach Joe Schmidt will leave it until the eve of the game before assessing the availability of both Heaslip, who went off at half-time, and O’Brien, who completed the game following treatment.