Leinster’s Lions On The Prowl As Lancaster Anticipates ‘A Big Six Weeks’
All five of Leinster’s 2017 British & Irish Lions are due to be available for selection for this Friday’s GUINNESS PRO14 match against Edinburgh.
Speaking to the media on Monday, the province’s senior coach Stuart Lancaster confirmed that all five players – Jack McGrath, Jonathan Sexton, Robbie Henshaw, Sean O’Brien and Tadhg Furlong – are in the selection mix for the game at the RDS (kick-off 7.35pm).
“There were two teams who contributed most to the Lions tour – one was Saracens and the second was Leinster. Obviously the Saracens players you’ve seen them come back and they’ve played and got in the flow. Rightly so the Irish players have been held back until this weekend, so it’s been hard for us to get in our flow,” explained Lancaster.
“We’ve had a bit of a changing team. If I think back to this time last year, certainly the top-end players had all played one or two games by now but, because of the tour, five players have been held back and then you add in Dev Toner and Scott Fardy missing from South Africa, Dan Leavy’s injury and little things along the way means we haven’t been able to get a consistent team out.
“Obviously to be at top form you need your best players to be playing consistently. I think the key period for us now is this next block. We’re pleased to have got three (wins) out of four, we would have liked four out of four, but we have Edinburgh, Munster and Montpellier at home and then Glasgow away.
“It’s a big six weeks for us and with all the top guns available, albeit one or two injured, we can get going. It hasn’t been an easy start, we know we’ve a long way to go but (we’re) pleased with where we’re at so far.”
Captain Isa Nacewa, who unfortunately injured his calf during the first half against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein, will be assessed further this week and will be unavailable for the visit of Edinburgh.
Luke McGrath is due to be available for selection after missing the 38-19 defeat to Cheetahs with an arm injury, while Fergus McFadden will also be available after missing out on both games in South Africa with a sore hamstring.
However, young lock James Ryan is out of contention for the clash with the Scottish side due to a foot injury, picked up in the recent win over the Southern Kings. Tickets for Leinster v Edinburgh are on sale online now from €;20.