Reivers fail to act on citing threat

Border Reivers coach Steve Bates has decided not to cite the Leinster and Ireland captain Brian O'Driscoll following an incident involving the Reivers wing Nikki Walker in the Celtic League match last Friday.

The Scots were aggrieved at what they considered careless use of the boot by O'Driscoll - though television footage appears to show the Irishman made no contact with Walker when the two clashed at a ruck.

Bates had told the Scotsman newspaper at the weekend: "What happened was in full view of our coaches and subs at the touchline, but also a lot of supporters, including young kids, so we are very concerned.

"Fortunately, Nikki doesn't seem to have suffered anything serious, but we're looking at the footage . . . and are seriously considering citing O'Driscoll."

The Reivers had until Monday night to lodge a complaint and would have had to inform Leinster within 24 hours of the game that they were considering a citing - but they declined to act in either instance.

It seems likely Bates recognised, after viewing the video, that O'Driscoll didn't connect with Walker.

Leinster will today announce a squad for Friday night's game against the Llanelli Scarlets at Lansdowne Road. The Celtic League table toppers await a medical prognosis on prop Ronan McCormack and centre Kieran Lewis, both of whom are nursing shoulder injuries.

Ulster, the team Leinster replaced at the top, albeit having played a game more, travel to Glasgow this weekend for the only match they'll play in April.

The postponement of their most recent game, against Llanelli, because of an unplayable pitch has meant a frustrating period of inactivity for coach Mark McCall.

Their next match after the Glasgow game - their free weekend is coming up - is against the Cardiff Blues on May 5th.

McCall is philosophical: "There have been massive gaps for us and the cancellation certainly didn't help but the guys have responded very well in what has been a fractured season.

"Ideally you'd like greater continuity and matches on a regular basis but you have to take what's dealt. Glasgow will be a tough prospect at home.

"They have eight losing bonus points, illustrating the number of tight matches they've had, and with a bit of luck they could be in a much different position. I thought Leinster did very well to take five points out of the Borders match."

Ulster's New Zealand-born centre Paul Steinmetz misses the game with a fractured cheekbone sustained in their last match but could be back for the Cardiff match. Kevin Maggs, an obvious deputy, is nursing a hamstring strain. The team will be named today.

Following a free weekend in the Celtic League, Connacht are now seven points outside the play-off spot ahead of their clash with the Newport Gwent Dragons at the Sportsground on Saturday (2:30).

They could take a big step to rejoining the battle for a Heineken European Cup place with a victory over the Dragons, whom they trail by seven points.

Connacht will be hoping meanwhile that Ulster can do them a favour by beating Glasgow, whom Michael Bradley's charges trail by just five points.

The Dragons were in superb form in their 23-17 victory over, Munster scoring three tries.

Connacht must finish ahead of a Welsh and a Scottish team to secure a European Cup play-off place with Italy's third-ranked side in June.

It's a tough ask but four of their remaining five games are at home and they are still to play three sides in the bottom four and have won their last four home games.