Leinster may welcome back internationals for Munster derby

Leinster may welcome back a number of Ireland internationals for Saturday's URC derby with Munster but will select on a case-by-case basis.

Well positioned at the summit of the United Rugby Championship table, Leinster visit Limerick on Saturday evening (7pm, live on RTÉ) for a tie that comes just six days before their Champions Cup round-of-16 first leg clash with Connacht.

Johnny Sexton, Garry Ringrose, Tadhg Furlong, Hugo Keenan, James Lowe, Dan Sheehan, Josh van der Flier, Jamison Gibson-Park and Caelan Doris are among the Leinster contingent who started three or more games in the Guinness Six Nations and forwards coach Robin McBryde indicated that it would probably be more lightly raced players who come into contention.

"It’s looking at each individual case with regards to minutes played," the Welshman told RTÉ Sport.

"I think some people with a lot of minutes under their belt would be better off having a rest. Leo [Cullen] is better positioned than I am. He talks to the players on a regular basis and has done so it’s getting that balance right."

Leinster, who beat Connacht 45-8 on Saturday night, will be without Dave Kearney for a number of months due to a hamstring injury, while Ireland hooker is still recovering from a shoulder injury suffered in the Six Nations loss to France.

The 24-year-old was pictured at his club’s training session today.

"He wasn’t doing contact, just a little bit of throwing and some scrum set-ups so he’s making progress," added McBryde.

"It will be a tough ask to go down there," he said of the visit to face Johann van Graan’s men, who sit third in the table following the weekend’s 51-22 win over Benetton at Musgrave Park.

"I think they will be out to prove a point, certain key individuals, as well