Niall Hogan will provide some relief for an ailing Leinster squad ravaged by injury and uncertainty prior to Friday night's crucial European Cup encounter with Llanelli at Donnybrook. The Dublin doctor will join the Leinster squad at training tonight.
On his return to Dublin recently, having finished his studies at Oxford University and severed playing ties with London Irish, Hogan opted to rejoin Terenure College. Leinster coach Mike Ruddock had the prescience to register him with European Rugby Cup Ltd within the last month in response to his changed circumstances.
His foresight has paid a dividend, as the loss of two first choice scrum-halves is offset by Hogan's return. Derek Hegarty was already out with a broken collarbone, but in last Saturday's defeat by Begles-Bordeaux Lansdowne's David O'Mahony damaged a shoulder and hamstring, a combination that rules him out of Friday's game.
Irish panellist Ciaran Scally, who was doubtful for the Begles match with fluid on the knee, and who came on in France, should start on Friday, with Hogan on the bench. Ruddock confirmed: "I will be having a word with Gerry Murphy and hopefully Niall will train with us tonight. He is eligible for the European Cup having been registered recently."
Compounding a ridiculously lengthly casualty list is confirmation that Denis Hickie becomes the latest player to be sidelined. The international wing damaged a nerve in his back and will be out of commission for a fortnight. He joins Hegarty (shoulder), Martin Ridge (knee), John McWeeney (eye), Gordon D'Arcy (hamstring), O'Mahony (shoulder/hamstring), Brian O'Driscoll (knee) and Dermot O'Sullivan (back) on physio Alan Kelly's treatment table.
Fullback Kevin Nowlan may be switched to the wing with Ciaran Clarke wearing the number 15 jersey.
Brian Carey is rated no better than 50/50 to play and will have a fitness test on his damaged knee tonight. Ruddock has asked Victor Costello to undergo a second medical opinion to ascertain if there is any way that he can play. The original prognosis denied any possibility, but he has been responding to treatment.
Trevor Brennan and Pat Holden are expected to start despite injury, while Leinster have been informed that Angus McKeen's appeal for an alleged stamping incident will be heard by the disciplinary committee of the ERC tomorrow. If cleared, he would be eligible to play.
Ruddock remains philosophical: "There is no point in letting yourself get upset. The injury situation is serious but we have to be positive. You accept your losses and try and set about winning without those players. The guys that come in will be playing for contracts next season, everyone will. There is still enough quality within the squad to win the match.
"My main priority is to try to get one good session with the players prior to the match. Irish commitments and injury have prevented that until now. As far as deciding on a team, we should be in a position to announce tomorrow."
Ulster have named an unchanged team from that which thrashed Ebbw Vale at the weekend for Sunday's vital European Cup game with Edinburgh Reivers at Myreside. Connacht are expected to announce their team for the European Shield match with Racing Club de France on Saturday.
Munster may reveal their hand for the trip to Padova 24 hours earlier, having learnt the extent of injuries to Alan Quinlan, Peter Clohessy, John Hayes and Mick Galwey.
Ulster: S Mason; S Coulter, J Bell, C Van Rensburg, J Cunningham; D Humphreys (capt), S Bell; J Fitzpatrick, A Clarke, R Irwin; G Longwell, M Blair; S McKinty, T McWhirter, A Ward. Replacements: A Park, B Cunningham, A Matchett, D Topping, S Duncan, R Weir, G Leslie.
