Keogh returns to Leinster squad for knockout semi

Simon Keogh, Trevor Hogan and CJ Van der Linde are added to the Leinster panel who defeated Glasgow 36-13 on Saturday evening.

In all the squad includes 11 Ireland internationals including the likes of Leo Cullen, Brian O'Driscoll, Luke Fitzgerald, Jamie Heaslip and Shane Horgan, a try scorer last weekend.

Despite the absense of high-profile Lions tourist Rob Kearney, Linster coach Micheal Cheika knows his squad is is good shape, and despite knowing what his first fiftenn will be, Cheika says he will hold out until naming it until later this week. "We're not going to announce it [the team] now because there's still a few days to go in terms of how our preparations are concerned. We also know that in a game of this type, all 22 players or a good part of them will make a good contribution to the performance.

"We have had a pretty consistent feeling about our 25 and have tried to use our bench in different circumstances to certain effect. Sometimes we haven't, depending on the course of the game. But we do know what our starting 15 will be.

"What we tried to do last week was give the guys who played the week before, the three players who backed up for the Edinburgh game after Harlequins; Leo, Isa and Gordon, to give them different amounts of time. Then players came off the bench as well and added their case. That's important for us because it makes the selection decision more difficult but it also pushes players to make sure they're playing at their best.

And Cheika went on to explain why Lions squad member, and Grand Slam-winning full back Kearney would play no part in the do-or-die knockout match at Croke Park.

Cheika said: "(Rob) Kearney's not going to make it. But even if he was to get himself out (on the field) he has had no training behind him for the last ten days so we wouldn't even consider it. He had to go to hospital because he had quite a high fever, but he's ok now. He has recovered well and the doctors have really looked after him well and he's in good spirits too.

"The priority for him is to become healthy again and getting him back on the field as soon as we can. It's times like this that you're happy to have the kind of squad that we have with top quality players.

Meanwhile, over 7,000 Leinster Season Tickets have already been sold for next season, with the categories in the Grandstand nearly sold out.

Supporters can avail of special early bird prices until June 5th with prices starting from €229. The ticket includes entry to all home Heineken Cup and Magners League matches, as well as the chance to buy tickets for away matches, knock out matches, and entry into a draw for International Tickets.

Leinster squad to face Munster.

FORWARDS: Cian Healy, Stan Wright, Ronan McCormack, CJ van der Linde, Bernard Jackman, John Fogarty, Devin Toner, Leo Cullen, Malcolm O'Kelly, Trevor Hogan, Sean O'Brien, Rocky Elsom, Shane Jennings, Jamie Heaslip

BACKS: Chris Whitaker, Simon Keogh, Chris Keane, Felipe Contepomi, Jonathan Sexton, Gordon D'Arcy, Brian O'Driscoll, Luke Fitzgerald, Shane Horgan, Isa Nacewa, Girvan Dempsey

REFEREE: Nigel Owens (WRU), ASSISTANT REFEREES: Nigel Whitehouse (WRU), Hugh Watkins (WRU), 4th OFFICIAL: Wayne Barnes (RFU), 5th OFFICIAL: Colin Stanley (IRFU), TMO: Derek Bevan (WRU)