Murray Kinsella reports from the RDS
LEINSTER LOOSEHEAD JACK McGrath may require an x-ray on an arm injury he suffered during his side’s Pro12 semi-final defeat to the Scarlets.
The Ireland international is due to tour with the Lions this summer and Leinster say they remain hopeful that the injury does not prove to be serious, but Warren Gatland will be following his condition with concern.
McGrath lasted just 10 minutes of Leinster’s defeat at the RDS, having lost power in his right arm.
The 27-year-old’s injury will be closely monitored by Lions boss Gatland in the coming days, with McGrath having been selected alongside England’s Joe Marler and Mako Vunipola as the looseheads in the touring squad.
The Lions are due to depart for New Zealand in less than two weeks’ time.
Jack got a whack on his arm so we’ll see how he is,” said Leinster head coach Leo Cullen. “He may need to get an x-ray but again, we’ll see how he settles down.”
Asked if this injury puts McGrath’s Lions involvement in doubt, Cullen said it’s too early to judge.
“It’s very early to say,” said Cullen. “He has an ice pack on his arm. He just lost a bit of power there so we’ll see how he is.”
Tadhg Furlong and Garry Ringrose also departed injured, while Luke McGrath and Rhys Ruddock did not return from HIAs, but Cullen played down the issues with those four players.
He doesn’t see Furlong’s issue as being any worry for the Lions.
Tadhg was just cramp on 60 minutes, he was replaced by Michael Bent,” said Cullen. “Garry got a bang on his knee, but it was nothing major that I was aware of.
“A couple of HIA as well, Luke McGrath after 20 minutes and Rhys Ruddock as well, so those disruptions don’t help either, but having said that against 14 men we should be a lot better.
“We’ll see how those settle down and they’ll get assessed on Sunday.”
Lions back row Sean O’Brien was pulled from the semi-final before the game even started, with Leinster citing “tightness” in his calf.
Gatland will be eager for an update on the Leinster second row as soon as possible, as he looks to ensure his travelling squad is fit and ready for New Zealand.
“He trained earlier in the week and reported on Wednesday, but we thought it might turn around on Thursday,” said Cullen. “He was down here for the team run [on Thursday], still felt a little bit tight so we made the call to pull him from the game.
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