Captain Nacewa Leads Leinster’s List Of Returning Players
Leinster senior coach Stuart Lancaster provided an update on injuries ahead of the team’s return to GUINNESS PRO14 action against the Dragons at the RDS on Friday (kick-off 7.35pm).
Leinster captain Isa Nacewa could make a return this week after recovering from an ankle injury which has kept him out since the bonus point win over Montpellier at the RDS last month.
Fergus McFadden is due to be available for selection this week having recovered from his hamstring issue, while Garry Ringrose has returned to rugby training this week after a shoulder injury sustained during Ireland’s summer tour.
Speaking about Ringrose’s potential availability, Stuart Lancaster said: “He looks sharp in training. We’ve still got to make sure he’s ‘contact ready’. He’s very, very close now. He was doing some on-field sessions last week so he’ll be back.
“This week our plan is…we’re training today, tomorrow off, Wednesday, obviously Captain’s Run is Thursday and we play Friday. Garry looked good last week. He hasn’t done any real contact in training just yet so that will be today and Wednesday. Realistically, if he doesn’t play this week, he will definitely play next week (in Treviso).”
Meanwhile, in the forward ranks, Dan Leavy (hamstring) and Ian Nagle (pectoral muscle) have also returned to rugby training this week and will be reviewed by the province as the week progresses.
Josh van der Flier has made good progress with an ankle injury and will return to rugby training this week, but will not be available for the Dragons match. Mick Kearney will also be unavailable for selection after injuring his AC joint against Glasgow Warriors last time out.
The IRFU confirmed on Monday afternoon that Joey Carbery fractured his left wrist during Ireland’s GUINNESS Series over Fiji. The versatile back has been ruled out of the Argentina Test this week.
Lancaster also spoke about the potential for new signing James Lowe to be involved against the Dragons on Friday night, saying: “He’s only really had one or two rugby sessions so we need to get him up to speed a bit more with our systems and structures. He’s a good guy and has a made a positive impact around the group.
“He’s in that process I was in when I first arrived of learning 60 players’ names and 30 coaches’ names! With big games coming around the corner, we want to get him on the field as soon as we can with Exeter and the European Cup coming up.”