Leinster Squad Update...

Rob Kearney (back) and Gordon D'Arcy (rib) are major doubts for the province and they will continue to be assessed ahead of Friday's lunchtime team announcement. South African second row Quinn Roux suffered a shoulder injury and he is expected to miss this weekend's derby match.

Meanwhile, Shane Jennings is expected to shake off the ill effects of an ankle injury which he sustained on the hour mark in Connacht, though it is likely to curtail his on-field involvement in training this week. It is hoped that club captain Leo Cullen (arm) will also return to the panel either this week or next, while Isaac Boss (arm) is getting closer to a return to action.

The province are expected to be boosted by the return of the likes of Jamie Heaslip, Kev McLaughlin, Brian O'Driscoll, Eoin Reddan, Jonathan Sexton and Richardt Strauss to the panel this week.

There are two significant imminent landmarks for the province with Cian Healy, who turns 25 on Sunday, in line to make his 100th provincial appearance, while Naas number eight Heaslip's next appearance will be his 150th.

Ticket sales for Saturday's game have passed the 40,000 mark and are on sale now from www.leinsterrugby.ie, the Leinster Rugby Store (Donnybrook), Spar (Donnybrook) as well as Ticketmaster outlets nationwide.