LEINSTER SAY OUT-half Johnny Sexton is aiming for a return in the early rounds of the Guinness Pro12 season, as his rehabilitation from shoulder surgery at the end of last season continues.
Leo Cullen’s side are facing the prospect of beginning the season without a host of their star names.
31-year-old Sexton missed Ireland’s tour of South Africa after sustaining a shoulder injury during Leinster’s Pro12 final defeat to Connacht.
Sean O’Brien was another to miss Ireland’s trip to face the Boks, and Leinster say he is “progressing well” after a hamstring injury last season, although there is no definitive date for his return to play.
Cian Healy is also set to miss the start of the new season, having only taken part in his first on-field session of the summer yesterday. The loosehead prop has “recovered well” from neck and knee issues, according to the province.
Ireland international Rhys Ruddock will not be available until round four of the Pro12, due to his ongoing recovery from ankle surgery, while hooker Richardt Strauss is due to see a consultant this week regarding a knee issue.
Ireland wing Dave Kearney continues to suffer with an AC joint strain, but is “nearing a return to play.”
Big summer signing Robbie Henshaw remains on the long-term recovery trail after knee surgery, with Leinster putting his recovery timeframe at 12-16 weeks. That timeframe began for Henshaw post-surgery, meaning he should be ready for a return in 8-12 weeks.
Prop Ed Byrne, who has been injured for the last 12 months due to a worrying knee issue, is “making steady progress,” but Leinster have no definitive date for any return.
A dislocated shoulder in last weekend’s pre-season win over Ulster means fullback Billy Dardis is also set for a period on the sidelines.
More positively, Leinster say Mike McCarthy has passed all the return-to-play concussion protocols and and has taken a full part in pre-season. He is set to feature in the friendly against Bath in two weekends’ time.
Centre Noel Reid is also targeting that fixture as his recovers from a mid-foot strain, while fullback Rob Kearney is now training fully after his hamstring issues cleared.
Captain Isa Nacewa is “very close” to returning as the arm injury he sustained last season heals, with Leinster managing his contact load.
Finally, openside flanker Josh van der Flier played last weekend against Ulster and came through with no ill effects to his ankle.
Leinster play Gloucester in Tallaght Stadium at 3pm this Saturday in their second pre-season friendly.
- This article was updated at 15.13 on 17 August to clarify Henshaw’s recovery timeframe, list Billy Dardis as being injured, and add the word ‘continues’ to the first paragraph.
He’s not as disappointed as some on relation to how far off they are? They are miles off. No offence to Munster but they are an average,though very gutsy and committed side,and they have hammers Leinster twice in a row now. I do agree that they haven’t had any continuity with combinations,especially from 9-13,and hopefully when the likes of OBrien, Healy, Moore, Teo, McFadden etc come back then there will be a big improvement.
I must take the opportunity to praise Matt O’Connor for the huge improvement in Guinness Pro12 teams. Ever since he arrived at Leinster, every other team has greatly improved. Teams, that two years ago were almost brushed aside by Leinster, have now reached the heights that Leinster once inhabited alone.
Treviso have improved, Munster have improved, Edinburgh have improved, Scarlets have improved, Dragons have improved, Zebra have improved, Connacht (brilliant tonight, by the way) have improved..
In fact, they have all improved so much that Leinster has great difficulty taking on any of them.
By extension, Wasps and Harlequins have shown just how brilliant they are too due to you Matt.
I can hardly wait to see how much Castres get better when they arrive at the RDS soon. They will build statues in your image all over the town.
Matt, you have done European rugby a great service. They have all reached and surpassed Leinster this season thanks to your input at Leinster and everywhere else.
Thank you Matt and Happy New year!.
(and also to Mr Caputo, the news paper seller. Your influence on all other teams has been exceptional)