Joe Schmidt is confident several of his key players will return to action for the RaboDirect PRO12 final with Ulster, despite picking up knock’s during last night’s Amlin Challenge Cup final win over Stade Francais.

Richardt Strauss, Sean O’Brien and Fergus McFadden all picked up knocks and all three will be kept under observation for the next two days.

Strauss suffered a knock to the eye area while O'Brien limped-off with a knee problem and McFadden had to be stretchered-off with a suspected neck injury, but Schmidt was cautiously optimistic about their chances of recovering in time for the end-of-season clash with Ulster.

Leister ran out 34-13 winners over Stade Francais, in front of a packed RDS.

Image: Leinster's Richardt Strauss takes a knock
©INPHO/James Crombie