LEINSTER REMAIN HOPEFUL that their Magners League semi-final victory over Ulster did not come at a high cost despite a number of the province’s star names sitting out this morning’s training session.

Brian O’Driscoll (knee), Isaac Boss (hamstring), Richardt Strauss (hip), Mike Ross (shoulder) and Sean O’Brien (facial) were all substituted during Friday evening’s 18-3 win at the RDS but, following further medical assessments over the weekend, it appears that all should be available for selection for Saturday’s Heineken Cup final.

An official injury update issued by the province this morning indicates that O’Driscoll, Boss and Strauss are all expected to sit out tomorrrow’s training session before resuming their preparations on Wednesday morning.

However, it is understood that the team’s physios are waiting for the swelling around O’Driscoll’s knee injury to subside before making any definitive judgements on the centre’s fitness.

Shane Horgan, who sat out Friday evening’s game, is also expected to return to full training this week and be available for the showdown against Northampton in Cardiff.

Leinster received a boost ahead Saturday’s game yesterday when it was announced that back-row counterparts Sean O’Brien and Jamie Heaslip and full-back Isa Nacewa were among the five nominees for this year’s ERC European Rugby Player of the Year Award.

The trio are joined on the shortlist by one of their fellow Heineken Cup finalists, Northampton’s Soane Tonga’uiha, as well as Sergio Parisse of Stade Francais.

The winner will be announced on Monday 24 May.