Warner takes over at outhalf

EUROPEAN CUP: For now Felipe Contepomi won't play for Leinster in Saturday's opening Heineken European Cup pool match against Biarritz at Lansdowne Road.

The legal wrangling over his eligibility is likely to take a day or two to run its course so in the interim, Leinster coach Gary Ella has named Christian Warner in the outhalf role, one of three changes to the team that started and won against Neath/Swansea Ospreys at the weekend.

Shane Horgan, who missed that game because of a minor wrist injury returns to the starting line-up with David Quinlan dropping to the bench. Warner, who came on at inside centre in Wales last Saturday and played extremely well, takes over from Contepomi at outhalf.

The third alteration sees Eric Miller rehabilitated from a bruised shoulder and he reclaims his place at blindside flanker from Des Dillon. If Contepomi is cleared to play then Warner would probably drop to the bench with Quinlan missing out on a place in the match 22.

Meanwhile, Leinster confirmed planning permission for the proposed redevelopment of Donnybrook had been lodged last Friday. The purpose of the application is to upgrade the grounds to provide a modern stadium for Leinster Rugby. The location of the two pitches and the floodlights will not be changed.

The proposals include the building of a new stand, substantially on the site of the existing stand, to seat 2,400. There will also be an increase in the size of the terracing thereby allowing for an overall capacity of 11,500 to 12,000 supporters.

There are provisions for the demolition of the existing Bective pavilion and the tennis courts and the building of a new structure for Bective Rangers Rugby Club and Bective Lawn Tennis Club on the Dodder river side of the ground. Four of six new courts will be located above an underground car-park behind the new pavilion.

The cost of implementing the proposals will necessitate that the Leinster Branch will have to generate funds by obtaining planning permission for residential apartments in three locations; the first, beside Herbert Park, on a greenfield site, to construct 18 apartments in two blocks, one block of three storeys and the other four storeys, to include crèche facilities on the ground floor, with access from Eglington Terrace.

The second is scheduled for the Donnybrook Road, Bective end at Eglington Terrace, there to construct 67 apartments in five blocks in stepped formation, with five storeys at the main road end, reducing to three storeys nearest to the existing housing at Eglington Terrace, which will be widened.

Finally further building is planned at the Donnybrook Bridge end on a site behind the ESB substation where 26 apartments will be constructed in a nine-storey block of attractive design to provide a landmark entrance at the gateway to Donnybrook and the city of Dublin from the south.

The Leinster Branch were keen to stress all funds generated will be used to upgrade the sporting facilities at Donnybrook and that no monies obtained will be used in paying professional players.

It is anticipated work on the project, if passed by the planning authority, would probably not begin for 12 months or so with the new stand possibly open in late 2005.

LEINSTER (v Biarritz): G Dempsey; J McWeeney, B O'Driscoll, S Horgan, G D'Arcy; C Warner, B O'Meara; R Corrigan (capt), S Byrne, P Coyle; B Gissing, M O'Kelly; E Miller, V Costello, K Gleeson. Replacements: G Hickie, E Byrne, D Dillon, S Jennings, B O'Riordan, D Quinlan, B Burke.