Leamy remains a doubt

Team news : Munster remain hopeful that Denis Leamy will be fit to play his part in Saturday's Heineken Cup quarter-final against…

Team news: Munster remain hopeful that Denis Leamy will be fit to play his part in Saturday's Heineken Cup quarter-final against Perpignan.

The Ireland international, who damaged his ankle in the Triple Crown win over England at Twickenham, is still receiving treatment on the injury and hopes to be involved in training tomorrow at Thomond Park.

Coach Declan Kidney will afford the backrow every opportunity to make the Lansdowne Road showdown, a 49,000 sell-out. It remains to be seen whether Christian Cullen and Mike Mullins will feature against the Catalans as both continue their comebacks from long-term injuries.

Kidney was denied the chance to give both some much-needed game time in the Celtic League on Saturday as the fixture at Llanelli was called off due to a waterlogged pitch.

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Perpignan's preparations for the contest were dealt a severe blow with the news that outhalf Nicolas Laharrague has been ruled out with a shoulder injury. Laharrague, a key figure in French league win over Bourgoin on Saturday, suffered a torn muscle and is out for two weeks.

Meanwhile, Leinster coach Michael Cheika has no injury concerns ahead of his side's trip to Toulouse. Cheika, who will name his side on Friday, welcomed back his international contingent with a clean bill of health and, with the exception of long-term absentee Christian Warner, has a full quad to choose from.

Elsewhere, Darren Yapp and Brendan O'Connor are doubts for Connacht's European Challenge Cup quarter-final in Newcastle on Friday night. Stephen Knoop, who missed the province's last three matches, came on for the final 20 minutes against the Borders over the weekend and is back available for selection.

Michael Bradley's side travel to Kingston Park seeking a place in the last four of the competition for a third successive year.

Noel O'Reilly

Noel O'Reilly

Noel O'Reilly is Sports Editor of The Irish Times