Leinster to play Munster at RDS

Leinster have switched their New Year's Eve Celtic League showdown with Munster to the RDS. CEO Mick Dawson said the decision was made to meet public demand - and benefit from the increased revenue - for the meeting of Ireland's leading provincial sides.

This is expected to become a regular occurrence for the more glamorous Leinster ties after plans to redevelop Donnybrook stalled at An Bord Pleanála level this year. Partial planning permission was granted but some of the high-rise apartments that were to fund the project were turned down.

Because of the temporary stand at the Bective end, Donnybrook holds only 6,000 spectators so a switch to Ballsbridge doubles the capacity. The RDS caters for 13,500 spectators but it will be reduced to 12,000 on December 31st, as areas behind the goallines are unavailable.

The 1pm kick-off is hardly ideal but the Leinster Branch are hosting a family day at the ground from midday in the hope of enticing a full house. The RDS has already held two Leinster matches this season, against Cardiff and Bath, while Bourgoin arrive for the third round of the Heineken European Cup on December 10th.

Tickets for the Munster game are available online but will not go on general release until after Saturday week's visit of Bourgoin.

Leinster's winter programme begins this Saturday with a trip to the Sportsground to face Connacht before back-to-back meetings with Bourgoin, Ulster in Ravenhill on St Stephen's Day and then Munster.

Brian O'Driscoll has resumed partial contact training and has been tentatively pencilled in to return against Ulster, with an outside chance of making the trip to Stade Pierre Rajon on December 17th. In the corresponding fixture last season, he scored the winning try three minutes from time.

Denis Hickie is still out long-term, while Malcolm O'Kelly is not being considered for selection against Connacht but is expected to recover from concussion sustained against Australia for the Bourgoin matches.

Eric Miller proved his fitness by leading Leinster A to a 36-5 victory over Oxford University at the weekend. Miller played 58 minutes before being replaced, in his first start since damaging ankle ligaments last October. Australian lock Adam Byrnes returned from a knee injury to play the full match, while Bernard Jackman and Guy Easterby have also recovered from the knocks that ruled them out of the recent internationals.

Rugby league convert Johnny Hepworth lined out at outhalf against Oxford although Dave McAllister kicked the goals. Regardless, Felipe Contepomi is expected to regain the number 10 slot for the coming weeks, which means he will miss Argentina's international against Samoa in Buenos Aires this Saturday. The Test match is outside the IRB autumn international time period so Argentinians and Samoans based in Europe are at the behest of their clubs.

Munster coach Declan Kidney must plan without Frankie Sheahan (neck) and Paul O'Connell (broken bone in hand) until the New Year. Munster play Ulster on Saturday in Musgrave Park as the Celtic League doubles up as a mini-interprovincial series in December. The Sportsground (2pm) and Cork (7.10pm) games will be live on Setanta Sports.

In European action, Munster play Newport Gwent Dragons twice, away first in Rodney Parade on December 10th with Tony Spreadbury as referee. Ulster double up against Shane Byrne's Saracens, starting on Friday December 9th in Ravenhill. Connacht are out in the European Challenge Cup against Worcester, away first, before ending the hectic schedule at home to Ulster on December 31st.

Connacht recently signed two centres, Kiwi Gavin Williams and Tongan international Andrew Mailei, but neither is eligible for the group stages of European competition. However, with Keith Matthews struggling with a hamstring strain, Williams may get a run against Leinster on Saturday. The pair were signed as cover after Mark McHugh and James Downey sustained long-term injuries.

Meanwhile, the Irish under-21 team's Six Nations home matches will take place on Friday nights in Dubarry Park, Athlone, home of Buccaneers RFC. Mark McDermott's team will face Italy on February 3rd, Wales on February 24th and Scotland on March 10th.

EUROPEAN CUP: ROUND THREE (All kick-offs local time): Friday December 9th: Pool Four: Ulster v Saracens 7.30, Eric Darriere (Fra) Sky Sports. Saturday December 10th: Pool One: Newport Gwent Dragons v Munster 1.0, Tony Spreadbury (Eng) Sky Sports. Pool Five: Leinster v Bourgoin 5.15, Rob Dickson (Scot) RTÉ and Sky Sports.