ULSTER HAVE ISSUED an injury update today but there remains uncertainty over the involvement of Jacob Stockdale in Friday night’s Guinness Pro14 fixture against Leinster at the RDS [KO 7.35pm].
According to a bulletin from the northern province, the Ireland international’s availability for the trip to Dublin will be assessed throughout the week after he sustained a knee injury in last weekend’s win over Munster.
Sean Reidy is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines after undergoing surgery to address a shoulder issue.
The 31-year-old flanker, who sustained the injury in the recent Heineken Champions Cup defeat to Gloucester, will be out for approximately three months.
Due to their respective injuries, Iain Henderson, Jack McGrath, Luke Marshall, Rob Baloucoune, Rob Lyttle, Will Addison, Louis Ludik and Angus Curtis all remain unavailable.
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)