Leinster team to play Castres named

Felipe Contepomi (hand), Shane Jennings (knee) and Isa Nacewa (arm) return to the Leinster squad to play Castres Olympique in Friday night's Heineken Cup Pool 2 encounter at the Stade Pierre Antoine (Kick off: 8pm Irish time, 9pm local).

A decision will be made later in the week concerning the fitness of Brian O'Driscoll from a hamstring twinge.

Ronan McCormack and Cameron Jowitt are also included in the extended squad as Leinster build towards a better performance against what is sure to be a vastly re-inforced and improved Castres side.

The team is expected to be announced on Thursday lunchtime. Several hundred Leinster supporters are expected to make the trip to France this week.

LEINSTER SQUAD (v Castres Olympique):

Forwards (15): Cian Healy, Ronan McCormack, Brian Blaney, Bernard Jackman, CJ van der Linde, Stan Wright, Trevor Hogan, Devin Toner, Cameron Jowitt, Malcolm O'Kelly, Rocky Elsom, Stephen Keogh, Shane Jennings, Sean O'Brien, Jamie Heaslip

Backs (12): Chris Keane, Chris Whitaker, David Holwell, Jonathan Sexton, Rob Kearney, Simon Keogh, Felipe Contepomi, Luke Fitzgerald, Brian O'Driscoll, Shane Horgan, Girvan Dempsey, Isa Nacewa