Leinster Call On Hagan As Injury Cover For Byrne
As preparations continue ahead of their visit to Treviso in the GUINNESS PRO12 next Sunday, Leinster Rugby have confirmed that Jamie Hagan has joined the province on a three month short-term loan deal.
The announcement comes as Leinster head coach Matt O’Connor also confirmed that Academy prop Ed Byrne injured his knee in the recent GUINNESS PRO12 game against Edinburgh and is the province’s latest prop to face a considerable lay-off.
Jamie Hagan, who has 42 Leinster appearances already to his name and was capped by Ireland against the USA in June 2013, left Leinster for London Irish at the end of the 2012/13 season and has played 27 times for the Aviva Premiership club.
O’Connor explained: “Unfortunately Ed picked up a knock to his knee late in the Edinburgh game. We had to wait for the injury to settle but scans then confirmed that he had an ACL injury which will keep him sidelined for up to six months.
“This is a huge blow personally for Ed who has had a very positive start to the season and is a very popular member of the Leinster Rugby set-up.
“He is having surgery in Dublin tomorrow but knowing Ed, he will come back from this setback stronger than ever and it is good to see him back and in and around the environment this week already working hard on his rehab.
“The injury forced our hand but we are delighted to be able to call on a player the calibre of Jamie, who is a full Irish international but crucially knows the set-up here, knows the players and what is expected of him at Leinster.
“We are also grateful to London Irish for facilitating this move and Jamie has already trained with us today and is getting up to speed as we speak on our calls and patterns.”