Miller out for Leinster

NEWS: Leinster will definitely be without flanker Eric Miller for Saturday's pivotal Heineken European Cup Pool Three clash against Biarritz Olympique at Parc des Sports Aguilera.

The former Lion has been battling damage to his right shoulder and retired in both of Leinster's recent games against Sale and last Friday night against Cardiff at Lansdowne Road.

Given the guaranteed physicality of the Biarritz game it has been decided not to risk Miller and a shoulder that is becoming increasingly brittle. It is a big blow for coach Gary Ella as Miller has been performing well.

Better tidings for Ella is confirmation that outhalf Christian Warner has been passed fit to play. The Australian withdrew from the Cardiff match on the day of the game with a recurrence of the quadricep injury that had prevented him from starting Leinster's home game against Sale.

Warner's deputy that night and for the Cardiff game last weekend, Matt Leek, has also being cleared to play if required after suffering a dead leg at the weekend. There is also an outside chance that Des Dillon could be available to travel.

The number eight damaged his A/C joint against Sale at Edgeley Park and was expected to be out for two weeks but has been given the all-clear to resume training a week earlier. If he shows no ill effects he is likely to be named among the replacements when the team is announced at lunch-time on Thursday.