The Leinster squad trained at UCD on Tuesday morning as on-field preparations began for Saturday’s Heineken Cup Pool 2 showdown with Clermont Auvergne at the Aviva Stadium (kick-off 5.45pm).
Leinster remain hopeful that Brian O’Driscoll (jaw) and Jamie Heaslip (ankle) will be available for selection for Saturday’s clash with the reigning French champions. A decision on their availability will be made following Leinster’s Captain’s Run on Friday morning.
There is better news on the rib injury sustained by Sean O’Brien and the Ireland international is expected to be available for selection.
O’Brien’s back row colleague Kevin McLaughlin has returned to light training and is on course for a New Year return following knee/shoulder surgery.
Shane Horgan, meanwhile, scored his fourth try in the last four games at Stade Marcel Michelin last Sunday and the Boyne man’s first half touchdown was his 27th in 81 Heineken Cup appearances.
Saturday’s game will be a record pool attendance for an Irish province with over 41,000 tickets now sold.
Leinster’s previous record attendance in the pool stages was 23,463 at Lansdowne Road against the Cardiff Blues in the 2003/04 season.
Incidentally, Leinster’s round 2 victory over Saracens at Wembley is in second place when a sizable Leinster contingent were prominent in the attendance of 45,892.
Ticket sales for the Leinster v Clermont Auvergne tie have been brisk in recent weeks and are still available to purchase here, from Spar (Donnybrook), Champion Sports, the Leinster Rugby Store (Donnybrook) and from Ticketmaster outlets nationwide.
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