No Major Injury Concerns For Leinster
The Leinster squad trained in UCD today as attention switches to next Saturday evening’s RaboDirect PRO12 visit of the Cardiff Blues to the RDS (kick-off 6.30pm).
There are no major injury concerns arising from last Saturday’s games in Wales where the senior team recorded their second Heineken Cup pool victory over the Scarlets and the province’s ‘A’ team were narrowly edged by Pontypridd.
Gordon D’Arcy successfully came through 80 minutes after his recent rib injury. Meanwhile, Richardt Strauss received stitches to a cut on his chin.
It is hoped that Rob Kearney (back) will be available this weekend, however Leinster forwards coach Jono Gibbes suggested today that the Ireland full-back is unlikely to make it.
“I think the medical staff are just doing more investigation. They’re working on a plan for Rob and what’s best for him. I don’t think he’s in consideration for this week, to the best of my knowledge,” he said.
“He was touch and go for the last couple of weeks – is he in, is he out? You’re desperate to have him involved because of the class that he has.
“I think it’s best that he just takes his time, gets himself right and we give him the opportunity to let whatever that injury is heal.”
In other injury news for the Heineken Cup champions, Quinn Roux (ankle) will also continue to be assessed by the medical team.
Rhys Ruddock successfully came through his first run-out of the season in Pontypridd and he is set to be joined in the mix for selection for the Cardiff game by David Kearney.
Second row Tom Denton was a late withdrawal from the ‘A’ game with minor calf tightening, but that will not affect his availability this week when the team is named on Friday afternoon.
Ticket sales for Saturday’s league tie have passed the 15,000 mark. Leinster v Cardiff tickets are on sale online here and are also available to buy from the Leinster Rugby Store (Donnybrook), Spar (Donnybrook) and Ticketmaster outlets nationwide.