Leinster's fears over BOD's fitness for final

Cormac Byrne

LEINSTER are sweating over the fitness of talisman Brian O'Driscoll ahead of this weekend's Heineken Cup showdown with Ulster at Twickenham.

The Leinster legend will have to wait until Thursday to see whether or not he will be available for the All-Ireland clash for the biggest prize in European club rugby.

The Irish captain sustained a knee/ankle injury in training last Thursday and was promptly taken from the field for further inspection.

Initial fears have abated slightly and the Blues appear to be confident that Ireland's record try-scorer will don his familiar number 13 shirt on Saturday.

"Brian's a 50-50 at this stage. I think if we had another day or two I'd be 80pc sure but that's the nature of it we'll just have to wait and see," Leinster coach Joe Schmidt said.

Rob Kearney missed last Saturday's victory over the Glasgow Warriors with a back problem, but fears over his involvement next weekend are minimal. Eoin O'Malley will almost certainly be an absentee.

hnews@herald.ie