LEINSTER HAVE REPORTED a relatively clean bill of health following their victory over Ulster, but will closely monitor the fitness of Dan Leavy, James Ryan and Noel Reid this week.
Leavy, in his second game back from a six-week layoff with an ankle problem, sustained a hip injury during Leinster’s 25-10 win at Kingspan Stadium on Saturday night and awaits further assessment.
The flanker linked up with the Ireland squad for a two-day training camp in Carton House earlier and a decision over his availability for Friday’s trip to Glasgow will be made later in the week.
Both second-row Ryan and centre Reid suffered head injuries during the first half in Belfast and after failing Head Injury Assessments will now follow the return to play protocols this week.
Sean O’Brien, Richardt Strauss, Rory O’Loughlin and Rob Kearney all came through their respective returns unscathed while Johnny Sexton and Robbie Henshaw have been declared fit.
The Ireland pair missed the trip north after picking up minor knocks in training last week, and although backs coach Girvan Dempsey said both would be available for Friday, it’s unlikely either will feature having been involved in international camp this week.
Fergus McFadden also sat out Saturday’s inter-pro after experiencing tightness in his hamstring and will be assessed again today and tomorrow before being declared fully fit to return.
Garry Ringrose, meanwhile, was among the reduced Leinster squad training at UCD on Bank Holiday Monday as he continues his return from shoulder injury, as was long-term absentee Tom Daly.
Elsewhere, Munster say Tyler Bleyendaal is taking part in limited training this week after missing the last two games with a neck problem, while Gerbrandt Grobler (ankle), Ronan O’Mahony (fibula) and Conor Oliver (shoulder) have all stepped up their rehabilitation programmes.
With the southern province expected to be without as many as 11 internationals for the visit of Dragons to Cork, Rassie Erasmus confirmed both Simon Zebo — exiled by Joe Schmidt — and new arrival Chris Cloete will be involved on Friday.
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Connacht to tear up the rulebook with a two score win!
A great season but this will be one step too far.
Leinster’s frontrow and front row subs will just be too strong. Added to sexton’s current form and Connacht’s biggest strengths ( their centres mainly bundee Aki coming up against Teo and Ringrose ) this will be a fairly even battle and nullify each other.
Leinster by 7
Hopefully so. Nervous about this one…
Red thumbers are out in force.
Chris, Spot on! Sexton to steady the ship and see us though. If we win, some recognition that Leinster are the top province is more than jusitified.
It might me cool if the 42 did a straw poll to see who would make a combined starting fifteenth of Connacht and Leinster
from the two teams that will be announced, Would be interested to see what the majority think.
Also would be cool to do a league version too, that would be some team, people underestimate this league.
If the majority took the poll it wouldn’t have any Leinster players. Not on merit, but just because.
Tom my side would be
1. McGrath 2. Cronin 3. Ross
4. Toner 5. Muldoon
6. Ruddock ,7 Murphy 8. Heaslip
9. Marmion 10. Sexton
11 Healy 12 Aki 13 Teo 14 Isa
15 henshaw
Sorry change that Ultan D in secondrow. Excuse the brain fart
Cronin over Tom McCartney? Jordi Murphy over Jake Heenan? Rhys Ruddock over Muldoon? Ahhhhh heeeeyyyooorrrr… I like your backline though!
Beat me to it Liam. Swap those three and it looks alright. I’d take Heenan or McKeon over Murphy any day.
Great analysis piece