LEINSTER WILL MAKE a final assessment on the fitness of Sean O’Brien in training today and tomorrow before deciding on whether to include him in the squad for their Champions Cup opener.
The flanker has been sidelined with a hamstring injury sustained during Ireland’s Six Nations defeat to France in February but is now nearing the end of his recovery process.
The province are confident O’Brien will be fit enough to feature at some stage against Castres on Saturday and if that date comes too soon, his comeback will be against Montpellier the following weekend.
Speaking at Leinster HQ this afternoon, backs coach Girvan Dempsey said there was a good chance O’Brien would be available for selection.
“He got through a lot of work last week and he’s got a couple of more markers to hit,” Dempsey said.
“He’ll train fully today and tomorrow and we’ll review it and see how he is and make him available for selection if he gets through that work.
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“It will really just depend on how he is, but we would be confident we will see him on the field if not this weekend, definitely next weekend but hopefully this one.
“We’re fortunate he’s coming back with a strong back-row so he’ll have to fight for his place but it’s a great place to be. He’s chomping at the bit and has been very influential whilst he’s been off the field.”
Dempsey speaking at Leinster HQ earlier. Gary Carr / INPHO
Gary Carr / INPHO / INPHO
While it’s good news for O’Brien, Fergus McFadden is facing an extended period on the sidelines after the quad injury he suffered against Cardiff Blues turned out to be worse than first feared.
The back is now likely to be out for two months and will be out of the running for Ireland’s November internationals.
Dempsey delivered an otherwise clean bill of health following Saturday’s win over Munster with Robbie Henshaw and Rob Kearney both coming through unscathed.
Dave Kearney’s left ankle will be assessed later this week while Mike McCarthy’s fitness will also be monitored ahead of the Pool 4 opener.
Ed Byrne, Jack Conan and Richardt Strauss all remain unavailable.
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Leinster set to unleash Sean O'Brien this weekend but McFadden ruled out for months
LEINSTER WILL MAKE a final assessment on the fitness of Sean O’Brien in training today and tomorrow before deciding on whether to include him in the squad for their Champions Cup opener.
The flanker has been sidelined with a hamstring injury sustained during Ireland’s Six Nations defeat to France in February but is now nearing the end of his recovery process.
The province are confident O’Brien will be fit enough to feature at some stage against Castres on Saturday and if that date comes too soon, his comeback will be against Montpellier the following weekend.
Speaking at Leinster HQ this afternoon, backs coach Girvan Dempsey said there was a good chance O’Brien would be available for selection.
“He got through a lot of work last week and he’s got a couple of more markers to hit,” Dempsey said.
“It will really just depend on how he is, but we would be confident we will see him on the field if not this weekend, definitely next weekend but hopefully this one.
“We’re fortunate he’s coming back with a strong back-row so he’ll have to fight for his place but it’s a great place to be. He’s chomping at the bit and has been very influential whilst he’s been off the field.”
While it’s good news for O’Brien, Fergus McFadden is facing an extended period on the sidelines after the quad injury he suffered against Cardiff Blues turned out to be worse than first feared.
The back is now likely to be out for two months and will be out of the running for Ireland’s November internationals.
Dempsey delivered an otherwise clean bill of health following Saturday’s win over Munster with Robbie Henshaw and Rob Kearney both coming through unscathed.
Dave Kearney’s left ankle will be assessed later this week while Mike McCarthy’s fitness will also be monitored ahead of the Pool 4 opener.
Ed Byrne, Jack Conan and Richardt Strauss all remain unavailable.
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