IRISH INTERNATIONAL FLANKER Shane Jennings could make his return from a two-month injury lay-off this weekend when Leinster welcome Ulster to the RDS on Saturday evening.

The former Leicester Tigers man recovered from a knee injury in time to resume training last week, though he was not fully fit in time to make the province’s Heineken Cup victory over his former club at the weekend.

Barring an unforeseen setback, Jennings is likely to get some playing time in the back row as fourth-place Leinster seek to consolidate their semi-final berth with a win over Ulster who currently lie just three points ahead of them in second.

Joe Schmidt and his backroom staff do have a number of slight injury concerns following Saturday’s bruising European encounter at the Aviva with question marks hanging over the fitness of Isa Nacewa (foot), Brian O’Driscoll (nose) and Gordon D’Arcy (shoulder). However, all three are expected to make full recoveries in time to feature at the weekend.

Table-toppers Munster will have to do some off-season rebuilding after it was announced yesterday that centre Sam Tuitupou will be joining Aviva Premiership side the Sale Sharks at the end of the season.

The 29-year-old New Zealander becomes the second Munster player to make the move to the Manchester outfit in recent weeks, joining prop Tony Buckley who informed Munster of his decision to move in February, citing the need to play regular rugby if he is to have any chance of making Ireland’s World Cup squad.