UPDATED 15:30
LEINSTER AND IRELAND scrum half Isaac Boss has been added to the province’s list of long-term absentees today after suffering an elbow injury against Llanelli Scarlets on Saturday.
The New Zealand-born Irish international was replaced at half time of the province’s 45-20 defeat in Wales after “hyper-extending” the joint.
Speaking at the squad’s training in UCD today, assistant coach Jono Gibbes called it “a pretty serious elbow injury” before elaborating that the harm had been done to the medial ligament.
“He’s getting assessed by a surgeon later on. (Then) we’ll know exactly what the extent of that is, but I would suspect that it might be a few weeks on the sideline.”
Gibbes’ hesitant demeanor in delivering his prognosis suggested that the time-frame of ‘few weeks’ is a very optimistic one. It is believed that Boss will now be unavailable through Ireland’s upcoming November internationals and could miss the entire pool phase of the Heineken Cup as the Blues bid to defend their title a second time.
The recovery time will, however, depend on Boss’ consult with the surgeon this week.
Treatment
Flanker Dominic Ryan also had to leave the Parc y Scarlets field early after ‘rolling his ankle’. The results of his scan have not yet been revealed to the medical team, though it is believed he too will miss out this weekend’s clash with the Dragons.
As Leinster were comprehensively out-played treatment was also needed for winger Fionn Carr (nose), hookers Richardt Strauss (stinger) and Aaron Dundon (stitches above eye). All three though are expected to pull through for the second league fixture of the season.
With 11 internationals still weeks away from starting their season and seven existing long-term injuries, Gibbes admits that losing Boss is a bitter blow to take:
“We’re slightly thin on the ground with resources. Losing any player would put a bit of pressure on us, but losing someone of Bossy’s experience and his position is tough.”
