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Leinster issue injury update ahead of Champions Cup showdown with Saracens
By Ciarán Kennedy
Leinster have issued an injury update on their squad as the province turn their attention to Saturday's eagerly-anticipated Heineken Champions Cup quarter-final date with Saracens. Leo Cullen's side are back training this week following last weekend's Guinness Pro14 final defeat of Ulster, and appear to be in rude health ahead of their meeting with the reigning European champions in a repeat of last year's final.
James Ryan came through his first game back from shoulder injury with no issues and will once again be in the mix to face Sarries.
Fergus McFadden is set to resume full training this week having recovered from a calf injury, while Ciarán Parker, who recently signed a short-term deal with Leinster, has completed his COVID-19 protocols having arrived from the UK over two weeks ago and is now training with the team.
The news is less clear on Tadhg Furlong and Dan Leavy, with both players not yet ruled out for the weekend.
Furlong, who hasn't played for Leinster since their season resumed last month, will be further reviewed this week following his return from a back injury.
Dan Leavy, who recently returned to training after more than year out with a serious knee injury, will also be further reviewed throughout the week.
Hooker Dan Sheehan will be out of action for between four to six weeks after having a procedure on a cheekbone injury sustained in training.
There was no new update on Vakh Abdaladze (back), Dave Kearney (hamstring), Conor O’Brien (hamstring) or Adam Byrne (hamstring).
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Latest Comments
33, unlikely?
It’s actually an interesting question, how does his RL career impact you perception of his ‘rugby age’?
I’d imagine he’s fresher than a 26 yo rugby player, he’s fitting and done more k’s, but had less impacts (unsure of his injuries).
Anyway, your conclusion doesn’t really hit the mark. What you’ve not asked yourself is would he be better at 33, with 6 years under his belt, than 28/9, and only 2 years experience. If he really is considering it a major goal of course, he may just want an Olympic medal and leave etc.
Still, in relation to your topic, what I suspected would be his thinking is the ever increasing value in playing in Japan. Perhaps he’d try and give this first WC a go, trying to make it in the All Blacks, obviously playing Super Rugby, then he’d take a much bigger contract in Japan? Learn how to run around people with better accuracy and consistency (rofl), and then return to NZ as an improved player to Australia 2027, with the hope to fine tune further and make the most of his marketability in the bonanza that America 2031 is going to leave behind. 33 is still prime earning age and who knows what the MLR market is going to be like them, if teams have started to have major backers etc.
It’s all about the money afterall (yes, I wasn’t referring to his ability re USA31’)!
Go to commentsNo, just an overly zealous fan who doesn’t know what he’s talking about.
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