Injuries force Cheika to make changes

GIRVAN DEMPSEY and Stanley Wright both sustained ankle injuries against Ulster at Ravenhill on Saturday night and as a result neither are expected to feature against Connacht on Friday.

A medical report will be available tomorrow about the time frame for recovery but the loss of Wright puts more emphasis on Springbok tighthead prop CJ van der Linde recovering from a calf strain. Brian O'Driscoll and Shane Horgan are also in line to return but Bernard Jackman (knee ligaments), Leo Cullen and Shane Jennings remain on the injury list.

Ulster flanker Stephen Ferris also sustained a leg injury in the match that will be reassessed this week.

Meanwhile, former Irish internationals Anthony Foley, Brian O'Meara, Andy Ward, Shane Byrne and Munster winger John O'Neill all featured on Sky Sports yesterday as they represented the Lions (in pink jerseys) in the Bermuda Classic rugby tournament from last November.

"It's very hard to get rugby out of your system when you have been a professional for 11 years," said Byrne after the 15-13 semi-final victory over New Zealand.

"I check myself every time I get off the bus before a game and I'm still enjoying it."

The Lions, managed by JPR Williams, beat a Robbie Fleck and Bobby Skinstad inspired South Africa in the final 19-5.

FIXTURES

Today - Leinster A v Ulster A, Donnybrook, 2.30.

Friday - Magners League: Leinster v Connacht, RDS Showgrounds, 7.30 (Live on Setanta Sports 1).

Saturday - Magners League: Munster v Ulster, Thomond Park, 7.30 (Live Setanta Ireland).

LEINSTER A: F Jones; G Brown/S Monahan, E O'Malley, F McFadden, N Morris; J Power, P O'Donohoe; R Murphy, J Harris-Wright, J Hagan; C McInerney, M Flanagan; J Dever, P Ryan, K McLaughlin (capt). Replacements: R Sweeney, R Burke-Flynn, K Sheahan, J Downey, D Moore, K Tonetti, C Aherne.