Gaffney reported that all his players had come through last weekend's game against Ulster without suffering any serious knocks. "There was the usual bumps and bruises but thankfully nothing too serious. A few of the international boys were taking it easy on Monday but they'll all be back Tuesday and we'll do a full session in Cork on Wednesday."

Captain Jim Williams has recovered from the swollen knee that kept him out of the Ulster game and that means Gaffney has five players - Eddie Halvey, Alan Quinlan, Jim Williams, Denis Leamy and Anthony Foley - vying for three back-row positions. It is likely the side to play Neath will be finalised on Wednesday and Gaffney will be putting out his strongest possible side for that game. " We haven't qualified yet and it'd be be nice to have a place in the quarter final tied down before we go into the first phase of the Heineken Cup.