LEINSTER SAY SECOND row James Ryan is available for selection in Saturday’s Guinness Pro14 final against Ulster at the Aviva Stadium.
The 24-year-old Ireland international suffered a shoulder injury during pre-season over the summer and underwent surgery on the issue but has now fully recovered.
Bringing Ryan back for the decider against Ulster would be a huge boost for Leinster, who were already firm favourites to successfully defend their Pro14 title.
Ryan hasn’t played a game of rugby since Ireland’s Six Nations defeat away to England back in February of this year but will be raring to make a return this weekend as Leinster look to win another trophy, as well as tee themselves up for the Champions Cup quarter-final clash with Saracens a week later in Dublin.
It remains unclear if tighthead prop Tadhg Furlong will return from his back injury this weekend against Ulster, with Leinster saying he will be “further reviewed this week,” while openside flanker Dan Leavy is in the same boat as he hopes to make his comeback from a long-term knee injury.
Fullback Jordan Larmour is going through the return-to-play protocols after suffering a head injury during last weekend’s semi-final win over Munster.
Wing Fergus McFadden remains sidelined with a calf issue and will miss the final, while Vakh Abdaladze [back], Dave Kearney [hamstring], Conor O’Brien [hamstring] and Adam Byrne [hamstring] are all still rehabbing injuries too.
Mental ability is what separates great from very good in sport. There are many “athletes” out there in any sport but the ones who separate themselves are the ones with the mental ability others don’t have.Whether it’s intelligence, awareness or work ethic, it’s that last 5% that leads to greatness. Xavi, Brady, Schumacher, Ali, or Redgrave they all have that 5% upstairs.
Just look at the NFL, lots of physical “freaks” natural or not, but how many really make it and why. Xavi is one of the best footballers I’ve ever seen. Barca scores 9 goals when I saw them, 3 disallowed but I swear he assisted all of them. A legend.
“And Mark Lawrenson”
The greatest central midfielder of a generation. One of the most complete players we have seen
I remember stuff from before I could walk but If you told me your phone number I’d forget the start of it before you got to the end.