THERE’S GOOD NEWS for Leinster fans this afternoon as the countdown continues to Saturday’s Heineken Cup final in Cardiff.

Boss Joe Schmidt says he expects talismanic centre Brian O’Driscoll to make the starting line-up.

The Ireland captain is recovering from a knee injury in the Magners League semi-final with Ulster last weekend.

But the province’s coach revealed earlier that O’Driscoll took part in squad training in the capital this morning.

“Brian trained at three-quarters pace this morning and when we make our decision tomorrow hopefully he’ll be available,” he said.

Isaac Boss (hamstring) and Richardt Strauss (hip) will also be available it seems, boosting Leinster hopes of a second European Cup win.

Northampton, in contrast, are planning without flanker Tom Wood.

The 24-year-old English international, who was recently crowned Aviva Premiership Player of the Year, has been out of action since sustaining a hairline fracture in his right fibula three weeks ago.

Despite hopes he was on the mend, coach Jim Mallinder admitted yesterday that the game had come slightly too quickly.

Heineken Cup Final: help us to compile TheScore.ie’s fans’ guide to Cardiff