LEINSTER HAVE BEEN handed a huge boost for the business end of the season with news that second row James Ryan, fullback Hugo Keenan, and flanker Will Connors are all available to make their returns from injury in this weekend’s URC clash with Ulster.
With the Champions Cup final against Toulouse to come in two weekends’ time, their fitness is extremely welcome for Leinster boss Leo Cullen.
However, there remains doubt over outside centre Garry Ringrose, who Leinster say continues to be assessed due to his shoulder injury.
There had been fears that Ryan’s season could be over after he had surgery on a ruptured bicep in the wake of Ireland’s Six Nations campaign but Leinster say the experienced lock is now available for selection against Ulster this Saturday.
Keenan has been struggling with a hip injury and has only played once since the Six Nations, but Leinster say he is also expected to return to full training this week and will be available against Ulster.
Connors was due to start last weekend’s URC win over the Ospreys in Dublin but withdrew at a late stage on a precautionary basis. Leinster say that the back row is returning to full training this week and is available to Cullen for the visit to Ulster.
Ringrose’s involvement against Ulster and in the Champions Cup final remains uncertain due to his ongoing shoulder issue, which he has been dealing with since before the Six Nations.
Leinster say Ringrose will be monitored again this week before a final decision is made on whether he could feature against Ulster.
Meanwhile, hooker Lee Barron’s season is over after he had a procedure on the shoulder injury he picked up during the recent URC tour of South Africa, while centre Liam Turner will miss the Ulster game due to an arm injury.
With wing Tommy O’Brien having made his return against the Ospreys, lock/back row Alex Soroka is now the only senior player on Leinster’s longer-term injury list as he continues to rehab a foot issue.
As an Ulster fan I’d say another weeks rest would be better ;)
@Rab McCracken: think Leinster will go very strong this weekend. URC position ning and CC final prep on the agenda…
@Stuart: Not to mention avenging the loss from earlier in the season
Great news! Although I’ll believe it when I see them take the field on Saturday… Been a few Mon/Tues updates from Leinster/Ireland this year saying so and so is fit for the weekend and then they don’t quite make it
This is fantastic. If each got 50 or 60 mins this weekend unscathed, then they’re in contention for the final. Ringrose is a worry, seems to be an injury that’s really lingering. Hopefully we see him back for URC knockouts.
Beautiful
Fantastic news we need those guys so badly.
Having Ryan and Keenan back is great news for Leinster. I thought Osborne has played extremely well no matter what number is on his back. If Ryan is fit, you could start Connor’s against Toulouse and go 6/2 split on the bench with JVDF and Conan as back up back row.
Robbie Henshaw SHOULD have been MOTM on Saturday- and no coincidence that he was back in his natural/best position of 12. He is Leinster’s best 12. So in Ringrose’s continuing absence it suggests that Osborne is being considered for the 13 slot, with JO’B also a possibility.
@John Morris: would like to see Osbourne developed there at 13, with JOB as wing/fullback with green shades on
@Arjuna: Fully agree. JOB is best on wing or 15. However, he’s good cover in the centre, if needed. The game against Ospreys shows we have lots of talent in the centre. Ngatai and O’Brien had a great game, a few errors but overall a really great return.