McFadden on the mend ahead of Treviso clash

The Leinster management are optimistic that Fergus McFadden will come back into contention for a starting place for Saturday's trip to play Benetton Treviso in the RaboDirect PRO12 (2pm) after missing Sunday’s 38-13 victory over Glasgow Warriors in the RDS.

The Leinster squad began their preparations for Saturday’s encounter with a training session in UCD on Tuesday afternoon. Lock Damian Browne (shoulder) could also come back into the selection mix, though a decision on his availability will be confirmed at Friday’s lunchtime team announcement.

Mat Berquist (knee) has stepped up his rehabilitation in recent weeks and it is hoped that he will be available over the Christmas period while it is thought that Dominic Ryan, who captained the 'A' side away against Esher RFC, will be out for between four and six weeks after sustaining an ankle injury.

With the province’s ‘A’ team recording their second successive bonus point victory in the B&I Cup (a 42-20 victory over Melrose in Donnybrook on Saturday), a number of other players could force their way into the squad for the away trip to Treviso.

Eoin O’Malley’s brace of tries on Sunday brought his tournament tally to 3 in 3 games, while Jonathan Sexton has now kicked 66 points in 4 provincial appearances so far this season. Sean O’Brien’s next appearance will be his 60th in Leinster colours, while Eoin Reddan is in line to become Leinster’s latest half centurion when he made his 47th appearance on his 31st birthday last Sunday.