Williams to wait on Cullen fitness

Leinster coach Matt Williams will wait until the last possible minute before making a decision on the availability of Leo Cullen…

Leinster coach Matt Williams will wait until the last possible minute before making a decision on the availability of Leo Cullen for the final European Cup pool four match against Bristol.

Leinster, already through to the last eight, top the group with 10 points but will be aiming to maintain their 100 per cent record against the Shoguns on Sunday (1.45 p.m.) in order to guarantee a home quarter-final draw.

And Williams is willing to wait until 11.30 a.m. on Sunday morning for Cullen to prove his fitness and take his place in the Lions pack.

Cullen picked up a calf strain in training last week and was forced to miss the win against Swansea at Donnybrook, his place in the second row being filled by Aidan McCullen. McCullen, a try scorer in his last two outings, will once again fill the berth should Cullen fail to respond to ongoing treatment.

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If that scenario unfolds, Aidan Kearney will provide cover on the bench.

Elsewhere, Girvan Dempsey's groin problem has cleared completely and he takes his place at full back while the tournament's leading try scorer , Gordon D'Arcy, will be aiming to increase his tally against the Zurich Premiership side.

Leinster: Girvan Dempsey, Denis Hickie, Brian O'Driscoll, Shane Horgan, Gordon D'Arcy, Christian Warner, Brian O'Meara; Reggie Corrigan (Capt), Shane Byrne, Emmett Byrne, Leo Cullen/ Aidan McCullen, Malcolm O'Kelly, Eric Miller, Keith Gleeson, Victor Costello

Replacements: Peter Coyle, Gavin Hickie, Aidan McCullen/ Aidan Kearney, Des Dillon, Brian O'Riordan, Nathan Spooner, David Quinlan