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Video: Leinster boss gives update on Ringrose and O'Brien with Wales clash coming up

By Online Editors

Leo Cullen has resisted the temptation to throw Garry Ringrose back into this starting line-up to face the Scarlets in their top-of-the-table Pro 14 clash.

The centre has been out with an ankle injury, which forced him to miss Ireland's opening two Natwest 6 Nations matches against France and Italy.

"Garry started training at the end of this week. It's a little too soon for him, but he is making good progress. He looked good in training yesterday", the Leinster boss said.

On Thursday Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt said he'd have no fear about selecting Ringrose against Wales, even if he'd not had any matches under his belt.

Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt speaks about Garry Ringrose and Natwest 6 Nations match with Wales 

Cullen was asked by RugbyPass whether it would be hard for Ringrose to make his return from injury at international level.

"It's difficult to go straight into a match (after an injury absence), but he has done it in the past. He is an experienced player and I am sure he would be well up to the challenge."

The Wales game is likely to come too soon for Sean O'Brien, but Cullen confirmed the flanker had returned to Leinster training after his troublesome hip injury.

Jordan Larmour, who came off the bench against Italy to make his Ireland debut, will start at full back for his club this weekend.

Leinster are top of Pro 14 Conference B, level on points with second-placed Scarlets.

The Welsh side defeated Leinster 27-17 at the RDS in the semi-finals of the Pro 12 last season.