Leinster sweating on Ireland stars ahead of Champions Cup showdown with Leicester Tigers
Leinster backs Robbie Henshaw and Ciaran Frawley.
Leinster will be sweating over the fitness of several key players ahead of their Investec Champions Cup Round of 16 clash with Leicester Tigers on Saturday.
Over 30,000 tickets for the showdown at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin have been sold as the hosts look to book a place in the quarter-finals with a win over the English outfit.
However, Leinster are closely monitoring a host of Ireland internationals due to injury and Graduated Return to Play Protocols, with Luke McGrath one of those men in doubt.
Tackle on Kurt-Lee Arendse
McGrath enters the Graduated Return to Play Protocols and will be assessed later in the week after making head on head contact with the Bulls’ Kurt-Lee Arendse last time out.
The challenge took place during the United Rugby Championship clash between the two teams on Friday, with McGrath yellow carded as he looked to tackle Springbok Arendse.
McGrath’s tackle and the reaction from pundits and on social media caused plenty of debate and Leinster supporters will be hoping he recovers in time to face the Tigers.
Fortunately for the Irish province they can call on Jamison Gibson-Park to take the starting jersey after he was eased back into club duty via the bench last Friday.
Leinster also confirmed that centre Robbie Henshaw joins McGrath in entering the Graduated Return to Play Protocols. Both will be assessed further into the week.
Wing or full-back Jimmy O’Brien will also be further assessed this week as he nears a comeback from a neck injury, as will the versatile back Ciaran Frawley (foot injury).
Ireland full-back Hugo Keenan is also set to be assessed later this week on his hip injury before a final decision is made on his availability for the Champions Cup tie.
Ireland duo recovering
Meanwhile, Garry Ringrose and Andrew Porter are both recovering from respective shoulder injuries. A call on the star pair’s fitness will also be made later this week.
One player who definitely won’t play against Leicester is centre Charlie Ngatai but the New Zealander is making progress as he steps up his rehabilitation from a calf issue.
While there were no further updates on James Ryan (arm), Tommy O’Brien (hamstring) and Alex Soroka (foot), Cormac Foley (shoulder) is back in full training with the team.
