Contepomi embraces Brian O'Driscoll after Saturday's game

Leinster fly-half Felipe Contepomi will miss the Heineken Cup final against Leicester after suffering a knee injury in the semi-final win over Munster.

Contepomi, who is moving to Toulon at the end of this season, is expected to be ruled out for around six months after tearing cruciate ligaments.

"I am sad, but I want to face this as positively as possible," Contepomi told the La Nacion newspaper.

Jonathan Sexton replaced the injured Contepomi during Saturday's 25-6 win.

Contepomi's injury means he will miss several international matches for Argentina, including the forthcoming two-Test series against England, in addition to the 23 May Heineken Cup decider at Murrayfield.

"I only want to be calm to plan what to do, how to sort out the surgery. I know I will not be the first or the last player to suffer this injury," added the 31-year-old.

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"To miss the (Heineken Cup) final and what was coming at the Pumas is painful, but I know I cannot help this.

"The aim is to do everything to get over this and be stronger when I return.

"I will miss important matches, but I will be back in October, so it will not be so bad considering the time of the year this injury comes."

A Leinster spokesman said that the Irish province had not received "official word" on Contepomi's injury but they are resigned to being without him against Leicester.

On the plus side, Sexton deputised very effectively in Saturday's stunning win at Croke Park while Leinster are also hopeful that Rob Kearney and CJ van der Linde will be back in contention for the decider.

Lions selection Kearney is recovering after a bout of mumps while Van der Linde has been out of action because of a foot injury.

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