Wallace and Leamy to miss out as league resumes

A number of frontline players in Leinster and Munster will be unavailable for the resumption of the Magners League this weekend.

In Munster, the Ireland flanker David Wallace and number eight Denis Leamy did not train yesterday and will not play in the game against Ulster, who are seeking their third straight league win under coach Matt Williams.

Wallace has an ankle problem and Leamy a shoulder injury, both of which were picked up in Ireland's final Six Nations match against England in Twickenham last Saturday.

There is hope one or both will have recovered in time for Munster's Heineken European Cup quarter-final against Gloucester in two weeks' time, but even that is uncertain.

The Kiwi centre Rua Tipoki, who had been on the "easy" list because of back problems, trained yesterday with the team and is expected to be available for selection today.

In Leinster, Brian O'Driscoll and Gordon D'Arcy are longer-term concerns, with a hamstring tear and fractured arm respectively.

Coach Michael Cheika has yet to finalise his squad to face Glasgow Warriors in the RDS on Friday night. It is possible frontline Ireland players such as Rob Kearney will be rested, while those who played a lesser role in the match against England last weekend will be available for selection.

Connacht resume their league campaign when they take on Edinburgh at Murrayfield, also on Friday night (7.30).

Coach Michael Bradley believes Edinburgh are one of the in-form sides in the competition but is hopeful his side can earn some much needed points.

Connacht are looking for their first win in four outings.

Since the sides drew 14-14 at the Sportsground in the league before Christmas, Edinburgh have gone on a strong run and have moved up the table to go level on points with Munster in fourth place.

Despite Scotland's lowly finish in the Six Nations (they avoided the wooden spoon only on points difference), Bradley knows how good both Scottish regions can be.

"Since we played Edinburgh last, they've had a very good run of results, which ended with Munster's defeat of them at Murrayfield last time round," he said.

"They're playing very good rugby at the moment, as are Glasgow, and when we go to Edinburgh next week we're expecting to meet a side full of confidence on that basis."

When the two sides last met in October, Edinburgh's expansive game earned them two tries at the Sportsground. But Bradley sees opportunities for his side to exploit should the game play out likewise on Friday.

"We're very much aware of the type of game they'll try and play. We expect them to express themselves and keep ball alive so it could well be a wide open game. We've got to insure we put pressure on them in defence to ensure they can't secure their offloads," he said.

Connacht go into the game having lost one of their in-form players in secondrow Michael Swift, who has been ruled out until at least the end of the season.

It is expected that Andrew Browne, who has performed well for Galwegians, or David Gannon could come into contention for the position beside the captain, Andrew Farley.

Loosehead prop John Lyne and outhalf Troy Nathan have also been outstanding for their clubs, which could also warrant their inclusion in the squad.

The backrower Ray Ofisa has, however, been ruled out with an arm injury and with his progress still being monitored it remains unclear how long he will be out of the game.