MICHAEL CHEIKA yesterday went through the ritual of naming a full-strength 26-man squad – save for the hors de combat pair of CJ van der Linde and Felipe Contepomi – in restoring all the frontliners who were rested for the Magners League dead rubber away to the Dragons last weekend, reports Gerry Thornley.

Although Rob Kearney came through his first outing since the Heineken Cup quarter-final win away to Harlequins, the likelihood is that – apart from Jonathan Sexton replacing Contepomi – Cheika will revert to the team which beat Munster.

Thus, Isa Nacewa is likely to return at fullback with the rejuvenated Shane Horgan and Luke Fitzgerald again on the wings. Kearney is thus likely to be on an otherwise unchanged bench, with Simon Keogh again chosen ahead of Chris Keane as back-up scrumhalf-cum-winger.

“It’s obviously a difficult choice because we’ve got a lot of options,” said Cheika. “The one thing I do know is that however we start we’re going to have a good ability to change the game from the bench if we have to, because whoever’s on the bench will certainly be able to bring something.

“They’ll have a strong bench as well – they have had in the last few weeks,” in reference to a bench that, last Saturday, included Lewis Moody and the unused Harry Ellis, “so both teams will have the ability to change the game.”

Both teams will be confirmed on Friday lunchtime.

Leinster squad

Forwards (14): Cian Healy, Ronan McCormack, John Fogarty, Bernard Jackman, Stephen Knoop, Stan Wright, Leo Cullen, Trevor Hogan, Malcolm O’Kelly, Devin Toner, Rocky Elsom, Shane Jennings, Sean O’Brien, Jamie Heaslip.

Backs (12): Chris Keane, Simon Keogh, Chris Whitaker, Jonathan Sexton, Luke Fitzgerald, Rob Kearney, Gordon D’Arcy, Fergus McFadden, Brian O’Driscoll, Shane Horgan, Girvan Dempsey, Isa Nacewa

Referee: Nigel Owens (WRU)

Assistant referees: Nigel Whitehouse (WRU), Hugh Watkins (WRU),

Fourth official: Christophe Berdos (FFR),

Fifth official: Andy McPherson (ARU).

TMO: Tim Hayes (WRU).