Costello Back For The Lions

Leinster Lions' Ireland international back-row forward Victor Costello has been welcomed back to Ireland, and is expected to make his first appearance for Leinster since returning from the World Cup in Saturday's Celtic League meeting with Neath-Swansea Ospreys at the Gnoll.

Lions coach Gary Ella sees the Ospreys challenge as the perfect opportunity to get the World Cup players up to speed before they face Biarritz Olympique in the first round of the Heineken Cup on December 6.

Costello, central to their prospects to success in the Heineken Cup, has yet to play for the province since the appointment of Gary Ella to succeed his fellow Australian, Matt Williams, as coach.

Weakened by the absence of their World Cup players, Leinster failed to make any real impact in the inaugural Celtic Cup.

Now with the return of Costello and the likelihood that others like Brian O'Driscoll, Shane Horgan, Malcolm O'Kelly and Girvan Dempsey will be available for the Heineken Cup, they will be confident of a marked improvement.

The Lions were left disapointed when they bowed out of the 2002/3 Heineken Cup at teh semi-final stage.

A packed Lansdowne Road saw Perpignan upset the odds and come away with a 21-14 win.