BOTH SEAN O’BRIEN and Isa Nacewa are facing a race against time to prove their fitness ahead of Leinster’s opening Champions Cup game against Montpellier on Saturday.
The pair missed Saturday’s inter-pro victory over Munster through injury and their involvement in this weekend’s Pool 3 clash at the RDS remains in doubt, with both currently rated as 50/50 to make it.
O’Brien sat out the Pro14 derby with a calf injury he sustained in the win over Edinburgh a fortnight ago, while Nacewa suffered a calf strain in South Africa in round four.
The Leinster captain was back running last week and will be assessed again after today’s squad session in UCD, with the eastern province’s preparations for the visit of the Top 14 heavyweights stepping up a gear.
Other than the long-term absentees which include Rob Kearney, Dan Leavy, Jamie Heaslip and Garry Ringrose, Leinster are in a position of relatively good health heading into their European campaign.
Robbie Henshaw came through his first appearance of the season unscathed and Josh van der Flier — outstanding against Munster — is due to recover from the nasty cut to his right cheek bone in the 23-17 win at the Aviva Stadium.
James Ryan, Noel Reid and Peadar Timmins will all return to full training this week after spells on the sidelines.
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