Leinster centre on Horgan, O'Driscoll

Mike Ruddock won't be holding his breath, for he's been in this position before, but the indications are that the dream midfield combination of Shane Horgan and Brian O'Driscoll will finally be unveiled in Leinster colours in Friday's televised European Cup opener against Leicester.

O'Driscoll, along with Leinster's other main injury victim of recent weeks, Trevor Brennan, was last night deemed to have recovered sufficiently from his pulled hamstring to be considered for selection.

The boy wonder seems certain to be in the Leinster line-up when it is announced at lunchtime today, alongside Horgan, who was rested for last Friday's win in Ulster.

This might mean Peter McKenna will be switched to the wing, or Ruddock could opt for Gordon D'Arcy there, with Mark McHugh perhaps set to be retained.

The strong scrummaging performance, offset by a poor lineout, of Leinster's original frontrow of Emmet Byrne, James Blaney and Gary Halpin is liable to see at least the props, if not all three, retained. Whether Brennan is recalled after his lengthy absence is debatable though, given the form of Declan O'Brien.

Leicester, who arrive in Dublin today, should be unchanged from the team which accounted for Wasps 28-9 last week, which kept the English league champions within a point of leaders Bath. This presumes that neither Austin Healy nor Leon Lloyd recover from injury, but even without Healy the Tigers can call upon 10 full internationals as well as five under-age internationals, including Geordan Murphy on the wing.

Munster are also expected to finalise their line-up today for Saturday's visit of Pontypridd. Dominic Crotty's foot injury, which ruled him out of last Friday's romp against Connacht, remains their biggest concern of the quartet who didn't train yesterday. By contrast, they are hopeful that Mick Galwey (inflamed shin), John Hayes (dead leg) and Frankie Sheehan (shoulder) will recover in time.

Despite losing Neil Jenkins, Martin Williams, Dafydd James and Kevin Morgan to richer rivals after finishing second in the Welsh league last season, Pontypridd's community ethos continues to serve them well. They come to Thomond Park as the form side in Scotland and Wales, leading allcomers so far in the Welsh/Scottish Premier Division with just one defeat in 10 games.

The Munster management have run the rule over their opponents, and team manager Brian O'Brien considers them "a very good side with a lot of good players. They play a lot through their back-row, use a fairly wide game and attack the mini blind-side well through their full-back. It's going to be another rocky road."

Ulster begin the defence of their crown away to Bourgoin on Saturday, and the long-term absence of centre Riaz Fredericks is partially offset by the likely inclusion of a third overseas' signing, Fijian prop Joeli Veitayaki, who played for Bangor last weekend. Bourgoin, too, seem in good nick, and particularly at home where they've recorded high-scoring wins over Colomiers and Racing Club.

Whereas Munster have an embarrassment of riches at scrumhalf, Connacht would readily take on board any of the interprovincial champions' trio of number nines given their injury crisis. With Conor McGuinness and Stephen McIvor sidelined until Christmas - it never rains but pours - Glenn Ross is scouring the country for back-up to David Mescal.

Interestingly, back-rowers Ian Dillon and Junior Charlie - hitherto controversially omitted - are back in the frame, which suggests that one of this season's original overseas' signings, Mark McConnell or, more probably, flanker cum number eight Martyn Steffert, is under pressure for his place.

Bernard Laporte of Stade Francais is favourite to take over as France coach after JeanClaude Skrela quit just over two weeks after leading his side to the World Cup final.

Skrela (50), who guided France to the Five Nations grand slam in 1997 and 1998 but saw his side finish with the wooden spoon this year, came to his decision on Monday after discussions with French federation president.

Stade Francais president Max Guazzini admitted he was unlikely to stand in the way of Laporte, who coached the club to last year's French league title and this year's domestic cup, should he be offered the national job.