Munster coach Declan Kidney is expected to select from a full squad for Saturday's European Cup match against Bath at Thomond Park. The team will be announced at lunch-time today and the 15 that started and finished the match against Castres are likely to be retained en bloc.
Leinster's main injury concern centres on Kevin Putt. The former Natal and London Irish scrumhalf suffered a recurrence of a calf strain and had to be replaced after 32 minutes of Friday night's victory over Biarritz. Manager Ken Ging confirmed that he is doubtful for Saturday's game against Northampton at Franklin's Gardens.
The team will be announced today and if Putt fails to prove his fitness Brian O'Meara will start, with Old Belvedere's Simon Keogh being promoted to the bench. Outhalf Eddie Hekenui has recovered from his calf problems while Emmet Byrne's bruised shoulder required physiotherapy but did not prevent him training.
Ulster take on Toulouse at the Stade Les Septs Deniers next Sunday, a difficult enough assignment that is compounded by a lengthy casualty list. Second row Paddy Johns represents the most serious concern, having been forced to retire with a pinched nerve in his neck at half-time in the Saracens game.
Jonathan Bell was a late withdrawal from that match with a leg injury, but the damage is responding well to treatment. Flanker Russell Nelson, who also missed the Saracens game, is expected to be available for selection. Shane Stewart was stretchered from the pitch at Vicarage Road but both the New Zealander and Derek Topping suffered nothing worse than cramp.
Connacht face the unenviable task of travelling to Montferrand for next Sunday's European Shield game. Outhalf Eric Elwood, who went into the Neath game with a thigh problem and was withdrawn at the interval, is rated slightly better than 50/50 for Sunday.
Left wing Darren Yapp (neck) and flanker Junior Charlie (ribs) are both nursing knocks but coach Steph Nel will be able to call upon second row Mark McConnell, who has served his seven-week suspension. It is anticipated that Shane Stephens will return to the starting XV this weekend.
