MAGNERS LEAGUE NEWS:LEINSTER COACH Joe Schmidt is expected to name Stan Wright in the Leinster squad for Saturday's Magners League game against Cardiff at Cardiff City Stadium. The popular Cook Island prop tore his Achilles' tendon last August but has been back in full contact training for a second week and appears ready to resume competitive fare.

Shane Horgan, sidelined since damaging his knee against Racing Metro-92 last month, hasn’t been ruled out of making a return this weekend while Australian Shaun Berne is another who could forsake the treatment table for the pitch.

Nathan Hines, currently involved in the Six Nations with Scotland, has been linked with a move to Stade Francais. The 34-year-old Australian-born secondrow is out of contract with Leinster at the end of the season and according to reports in France is set to sign a two-year deal with the Parisian club. It would reunite him with Michael Cheika who brought Hines to Leinster.

If the player does elect to leave it would be a significant blow to the Irish province as he has been a very popular and highly effective performer during his time with Leinster.

A spokesperson for the province confirmed Hines’ contract was up at the end of the season but was unable to shed any further light on the Scottish international’s plans.

He previously played with Perpignan in France.

The short-term priority for Leinster is this weekend’s clash against play-off rivals Cardiff.

Forwards’ coach Jono Gibbes anticipates an improved performance from their most recent outing against Italian side Aironi at the RDS last Saturday.

Ireland squad members Leo Cullen and Eoin Reddan will be available for selection.

“When you look at where we’re placed in the Magners League table now, it’s a crucial game for us and I think the squad will have a point to prove. Everyone was disappointed with the Aironi game; the positive was that we got the win but there’s plenty to work on. We’ll be looking to up our standard this week.

“There are around six or seven teams who are really close for four positions. Obviously Munster are clearly at the top, but there are four teams chasing the second home semi-final position. That’s a wee way off for us at the moment, but the challenge is we’ve got to keep the momentum going.

“We’ve got to keep accruing points at this time and that’s pretty tough, especially this weekend because we’re coming up against an experienced team in Cardiff.

“So there are challenges there, but I think that if we can keep a degree of momentum going in this period, then hopefully, once the internationals come back in later on, we’re going to be in a good position to secure a spot in the top four.”

Gibbes conceded Wright’s potential return will further strengthen the squad for a tough away day in the Principality.

“Physically, he’s in great nick. He has been so disciplined in his rehab and he has done everything that he possibly could to present himself back in the best possible shape; it’s a credit to him.

“Mentally, I think he’s pretty hungry. I know how excited and keen he is to get involved and I think he adds leadership, experience and a lot of enthusiasm. It will be great to have his presence back on the playing field because he’s a good character (who provides) a bit of steel for our pack.”

Gibbes knows Cardiff will present a formidable hurdle irrespective of how many of their internationals are available. They have been boosted by the return from injury of number eight Xavier Rush and former international Martyn Williams.

“Cardiff away is always a challenge but I think that last year, looking back on the away match, it was at the same time of year and it was a really positive experience for the players that were playing. I think that’s one of the exciting things about this time of year; the squads are affected by international duties but the guys that are there are really enthusiastic and keen to take their opportunity.”

Cardiff coach Dai Young tossed a few verbal bouquets their visitors’ way ahead of the clash.

“Leinster won the Heineken Cup two seasons ago, were runners up of the Magners League last season and they have kicked on again this year. They lose very few games when their internationals are away, so we know this is a big ask.

“They are a quality squad and you don’t win Heineken Cup with a poor squad.”

Leinster have won their last seven matches in all competitions, a fact that hasn’t escaped Young.

“This is still a massive game for us and a game that we are going to have to play a lot better than we have during the last month or so.

“The result up in Glasgow was the most important thing. We all want a good performance but the priority is the result at this time of the year.”