HOOKER RÓNAN KELLEHER is back in full training with Leinster ahead of Saturday’s URC semi-final against Munster.
With the Champions Cup final against La Rochelle looming a week later, there is a further boost for Leinster with news that Robbie Henshaw and James Lowe are stepping up the rehabilitation of their quad and calf injuries, respectively.
While Henshaw and Lowe require further assessment this week and therefore remain doubtful for the Munster game, they could be in line to make their comebacks for the Champions Cup final.
Experienced prop Cian Healy is also a doubt for the Munster game after picking up an ankle issue in last weekend’s URC quarter-final win over the Sharks, while flanker Scott Penny is going through the return-to-play protocols after a head injury in the same game.
Kelleher will definitely be available for the Munster game this weekend if selected, having overcome the shoulder injury he suffered during the Six Nations.
Second row Joe McCarthy came through the Sharks game with no issues after his return from an ankle injury and is also available for this weekend’s clash with Munster.
However, captain Johnny Sexton [groin], Vakhtang Abdaladze [neck], Ed Byrne [tricep], Rhys Ruddock [hamstrig], Jamie Osborne [knee], and Martin Moloney [knee] all remain on the longer-term injury list.
Meanwhile, EPCR have confirmed that Jaco Peyper will be the referee for the Champions Cup final between Leinster and La Rochelle at the Aviva Stadium on 20 May.
Peyper will make history by becoming the first South African official to take charge of an EPCR final.
Englishmen Karl Dickson and Christophe Ridley will be the assistant referees, with Tom Foley on Television Match Official duty.
Wayne Barnes of England will referee the Challenge Cup final between Glasgow and Toulon the night before in Dublin, with Ireland’s Chris Busby and Welshman Craig Evans acting as assistant refs, while Ben Whitehouse will be the TMO.
Fine margins. If the ref had not allowed an extra play, Cork would have been All-Ireland champs in 2013. The 2013 CLare vintage, re-discovered their pulse against KIlkenny last Sunday. Yet Tipperary probobly should have beaten them in Ennis. For the want of a solitary point, many a team perishes. For all the tactics and amazing players, luck plays a huge part also.
Very true Eddie, particularly for knock out cup competitions such as the all ireland, which suggests the league is prob a better gauge of strength in depth of a team over time
Awh ye, blame the poor auld ref lol.. match is never over till the whistle is blown eddie. Anyway we proved who were the real masters in da replay
I’d love a sitcom based on the Cork county board. Frank as a Basil Fawlty type figure
Unfair on poor Basil !
Cork could have been competitive for a few more years instead fading quickly after 06
If my auntie had liathroidi she’d be my uncle
Donal Og will get his day in the spotlight this summer. All the shitalk he has been spooning the Cork public and the country in general will be back to haunt him when Clare’s tactics get exposed under pressure.
A bullshit artist of the highest calibre
Jeez the begrudgery is strong in this one, the man was a very good communicator and analyst on tv, and he now seems to have contributed positively to a previously poisonous team, deal with it
Rebels? The only rebel they ever had they shot him!
Looks like your a bit of a historian there Vinny and i suppose you know who shot him too?? you little bolox!!!