Strauss Joins Leinster’s Injury List
The Leinster squad trained at UCD this afternoon ahead of next Friday’s RaboDirect PRO12 derby match against Ulster at Ravenhill (kick-off 7.05pm).
There are several fresh injury concerns for the Leinster management arising from last Saturday’s Heineken Cup game against Clermont Auvergne at the Aviva Stadium.
On Sunday afternoon, hooker Richardt Strauss underwent a scan on a medial ligament injury he picked up in the opening moments of the round 4 tie and is expected to be out for approximately four weeks.
Flanker Shane Jennings damaged his shoulder against the Pool 5 leaders and was replaced by Jordi Murphy in the final quarter.
Jennings will be monitored by the province’s medical team and is considered a doubt for Friday’s clash with Ulster along with versatile back Isa Nacewa who suffered deep bruising to his arm.
David Kearney, who replaced Nacewa during the second half, returned for the province on Saturday after his recent quad strain.
The interprovincial encounter with league leaders Ulster could come a week or two too soon for Luke Fitzgerald, who has stepped up his rehabilitation programme this week.
But it is hoped that the Ireland international could come into the frame for either the home game against Connacht at the RDS on Saturday, December 29 (kick-off 7.45pm) or for the Edinburgh match away at Murrayfield the following week.
There was good news for the province with Eoin O’Malley successfully coming through his first outing of the season in the province’s 44-13 British & Irish Cup win over Jersey on Sunday afternoon. The centre will potentially come into the frame this week.
In a further fitness boost, hooker Aaron Dundon and flanker Dominic Ryan both came through their second successive games for the ‘A’ team on Sunday after their recent long-term spells on the sidelines.