Leinster hope to have Zane Kirchner available to face Benetton Treviso at the Stadio Comunale di Monigo on Sunday (3pm) if he is not selected by South Africa to face France on Saturday.

The fullback played no part in the Springbok rout of Scotland last weekend and if he is not needed for Paris this week should travel to Italy with an inexperienced squad.

However, Andrew Goodman, Leo Cullen (both Achilles) and Jordi Murphy are still unavailable.

Goodman, in fact, may miss a few more months after the New Zealander suffered a setback to his rehabilitation from an Achilles injury.

The New Zealander has been out of action since May and is now due to undergo “a procedure” that will keep him sidelined for some time.

Cullen has “stepped up his rehabilitation in recent weeks but a return to play date has yet to be determined”, while Murphy “should return to action over the coming fortnight”.

Scrumhalf John Cooney looks set to make his 25th appearance for the province.