LAST UPDATE | 11 Jan 2022
DAN LEAVY’S HORRIFIC run of bad luck with injuries continued today as Leinster ruled him out for at least two months following wrist surgery.
The flanker has made just four appearances for the province this season following his return from a second long-term knee injury.
And Leinster confirmed this afternoon that Leavy will be sidelined again after undergoing surgery last week to stabilise a fracture in his wrist.
Leinster also confirmed that two players are currently in isolation due to Covid-19 — one as a close contact — ahead of Montpellier’s visit to the RDS on Sunday in the Heineken Champions Cup.
“This follows the latest round of PCR testing carried out at Leinster Rugby yesterday,” the province said.
Meanwhile Montpellier have reported three additional positive Covid-19 cases following their latest round of testing today.
“The players concerned were immediately placed in isolation and the rest of the group continues to prepare for the trip to Leinster Rugby this weekend,” a Montpellier statement read.
Their Top 14 fixture against Toulouse last weekend was called off after 17 players returned positive tests, with today’s new cases casting further doubt on Sunday’s trip to Dublin.
Updated at 5.05pm with further reporting from Ciarán Kennedy.
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)