Hip Surgery Sidelines Jack McGrath For ‘Up To Six Weeks’

Leinster head coach Leo Cullen will be without the services of prop Jack McGrath for four to six weeks following his procedure to address a hip injury last week.

The injury lay-off is set to rule Jack McGrath out of Leinster’s back-to-back Heineken Champions Cup pool clashes with Bath, as well as the GUINNESS PRO14 festive derbies against Connacht, Munster and Ulster.

The province are also monitoring a number of players ahead of next Saturday’s round 3 trip to the Recreation Ground to face. Scrum half Nick McCarthy remains sidelined with a foot injury, as does Robbie Henshaw who picked up a hamstring injury last month on duty with Ireland.

On a positive note, Jack Conan, Rory O’Loughlin, Dan Leavy and Jordan Larmour have all returned to training this week and could be in contention to play at the weekend. Winger Barry Daly remains out of the running to play despite his return to training last week.

Reflecting on the runaway 59-10 win at the Dragons amid a testing spread of fixtures, Leinster head coach Leo Cullen said: “We were delighted with the outcome of the Dragons game. I thought the players applied themselves incredibly well during this period. For us as coaches, to be able to work with a group that are so keen to improve has been a pleasure for the last few weeks.

“We looked at this block last season and there were times where we probably got physically outmuscled and it’s been a big focus for the younger group this year. I thought they started the game well, took their opportunities well when they came along and continued then in the second half. We’re very, very pleased.

“The conditions we thought might be a little bit difficult. The go-forward that the forwards give us first and foremost – some good work in the scrum and particularly the lineout drive as well – I thought they made some good inroads there. Conor O’Brien was strong for us in the middle of the field as well. I thought they respected the basics of the game, which is important when you’re away from home.

“We’ve got two huge games now against Bath. It’s a very exciting time for the province. This part of the season plays such an important part in what you’re doing later in the season. Two huge games against Bath, then we have our three ‘friendly’ interprovincial derbies after that, then we’re into Europe for Toulouse at home and Wasps away. It’s an exciting block of games.”