Michael Cheika speaks ahead of Saturday nights Magners League clash

ON BEING TOP OF THE TABLE: "We're ideally placed at the moment, but we'll be even happier if the other teams are still looking up to where we are at the end of the season, so we're not getting too far ahead of ourselves.

"It's one of those famous clichés but we're got to take each game as it comes. It has been a funny year for us. We're a lot better defensively than we were last year but other areas aren't going as well as they previously had, so we've got to continue to take the same attitude into games as we do in training.

"It was pretty important that we got back on track against Ulster after the disappointment in Murrayfield, and it's important that we treat the Ospreys with the respect they deserve.

"It is nice to be there, but there's no complacency because the Ospreys are a quality outfit. They have such a strong squad and can pull any number of internationals from the bench, so we're aware of the threat that they will pose."

INJURY UPDATE: "With Brian (O'Driscoll), we'll see how he goes in training on Thursday afternoon and determine if he makes the final 22 when we name the team on Friday. With Shane (Horgan) and Ollie le Roux, they have rib injuries which are harder to judge. Shane might be in contention for next week's game, we'll just have to wait and see.

"Like everything else, when players miss out it just opens the door for another player.

"Trevor Hogan is one player who has been knocking on the door for selection (and) he comes into the mix this week, while we also want to get Ronan McCormack back. But Cian (Healy) did quite well last week, so there are some decisions still to be made."

ON PLAYER DEVELOPMENT: "I have always had the intention to develop players, and that's why I was disappointed by the reaction when we brought Guy Easterby back into the squad. Part of my remit when I joined Leinster was to develop players, and that point is at the forefront of my mind.

"But when it comes to players like Cillian (Willis), Jonathan (Sexton), Cian Healy or whoever, you want to develop the players in the right way and do right by him.

"We are always taking stock and Cian, for one, would have learned a lot playing alongside Bernard Jackman and Stan Wright the last day, and we could have a situation later in the season where he'll be packing down with Ollie le Roux maybe as hooker.

"All of these experiences will stand to him.

"It's about trying to get the balance right of developing players, of winning matches and having strong competition for spots. I'm always mindful of achieving that balance."

ON TRAINING OVER THE HOLIDAYS: "It's tricky trying to balance training at this time of year. We brought the guys in on New Years Day and I was so surprised that they were so positive. If I was told by my coach that I had to train on New Years Day I'd probably curse 'that bloody coach!'

"But, in all seriousness, the professionalism of the squad has been first class."