Cheika optimistic about injuries

Leinster coach Michael Cheika is more optimistic than pessimistic about his list of injured players making their way back to full health.

Cheika said: "Girvan (Dempsey) is a lot better than expected, but his ankle knock means that he will miss this week’s match. He could be back next week."

The news is better on prop Stan Wright, with Cheika adding: "Stan’s injury looked quite nasty initially, but he had a scan on his ankle and it’s also not as bad as first feared.

"Hopefully, Bernard Jackman will be back for the first Heineken Cup game (on January 17)," said Cheika.