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Ian Madigan and Jonathan Sexton celebrate with Dave Kearney. ©INPHO/Billy Stickland

Sexton set for Leinster return but Madigan may start against Munster

Brian O’Driscoll is set to start at outside centre as his three-week stamping ban is set to expire.

JONATHAN SEXTON IS in line for a recall to the Leinster squad for this weekend’s Pro12 clash with Munster at Thomond Park.

Forwards coach Greg Feek told TheScore.ie this afternoon that the Irish outhalf will train either tomorrow – Thursday at the latest – ahead of the league clash in Limerick.

He said, “We’re travelling all right… Jonny will hopefully be available.”

Feek added, “Brian O’Driscoll will be back. He hasn’t picked up an injury in the last three weeks, when he was out with his suspension.

He’s been running around like a headless chuck. It’s exciting to have him back. Shane Jennings seems to be all right too.”

Eoin O’Malley will definitely miss this weekend’s match against the Heineken Cup semi-finalists. The return of O’Driscoll to the backline, and the Challenge Cup form of Gordon D’Arcy and Fergus McFadden, means the Leinster midfield is in rude health for the first time since last Autumn.

Outhalf choice

Feek has admitted that Sexton, returning from over a month out following a tendon tear in his foot, may have to start the Munster game on the bench.

He said, “This season is this season. There is the position of maybe looking towards next season but we want to be winning games as well. Saying that, Madigan is playing really well.

Jonny is not going to walk in an expect to get the No.10 jersey. He’ll probably freely admit that Mads is doing OK there. That’s what you want, in the provinces, to have those sort of battles.

As coaches we’re trying to create that all the time.”

Madigan was in imperious form in Leinster’s 48-28 win over Wasps at Adams Park last Friday. His 28 point haul included five penalties, four conversions and a 22nd minute try.

The New Zealander added, “The good thing is that Jonny has not be available for weeks so it could be good to get him in from the start and get into it. We’ll wait and see until it comes to discussions around selections [later this week] but Mads is certainly thriving from being in the captain’s seat.

He’s running the show and has been doing really well.”

*TheScore.ie will be liveblogging all the action at Thomond Park from 6pm on Saturday.

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