Speaking to the media ahead of this weekend’s GUINNESSPRO12 match against Cardiff Blues, Leinster scrum coach Marco Caputo has said that the province will ‘err on the side of caution’ in regard to Jamie Heaslip’s shoulder injury.
James Heaslip left the pitch after 27 minutes against Ulster and was replaced by Josh van der Flier. After undergoing a scan it was determined that Heaslip’s injury was not as bad as first feared, but that a decision would have to be made on his inclusion for this weekend’s game in Wales.
“It’s a question of whether we expose Jamie and whether we err on the side of caution with him,” Marco Caputo said, speaking to the media in Leinster HQ.
“I think with Jamie everyone just expects that he has these healing, medicinal powers, that he’s just so resilient. I guess when you take him off the pitch it gives you a little bit of a reality check to say that we need to insure that he’s good for some big games coming up around the corner in Europe.
“We’ve got the added security, or comfort, of having Jack Conan in such good form. It’s whether we expose Jamie or whether we err on the side of caution. If we needed to roll him out, if we were playing a final on Saturday, we’d certainly be able to do that.
“Someone said the other day it’s the first time he’s come off the pitch since 2010. He’s an ironman. I guess every now and then he gives you a little bit of a reality check. We’ll put him in cotton wool and make sure he’s okay for the run home.”
Reflecting on the derby win over Ulster, Caputo said it was pleasing to get a reaction from the players after the defeat to Munster at Thomond Park.
“Some of the things that let us down against Munster the week before we were able to rectify. We know we’re not getting carried away with the performance (against Ulster).
“We know there’s still a little bit of work to go. Getting bodies back from injury is going to help rejuvenate the squad and give us that little bit of energy,” he added.
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