GARRY RINGROSE COULD make his return from injury when Leinster resume their Guinness Pro14 campaign against Dragons on Friday, with the centre returning to full contact training today.
Ringrose has been sidelined since undergoing shoulder surgery following Ireland’s summer tour of USA and Japan but is now nearing a comeback after five months out of action.
Leinster say they will monitor the 22-year-old as the week progresses but are optimistic he will feature against Treviso the following weekend if Friday comes too soon.
Ringrose’s availability would be a major fillip for the eastern province ahead of another crucial block of fixtures, which includes December’s back-to-back Champions Cup games against Exeter Chiefs.
Isa Nacewa is also in contention to return against Dragons at the RDS on Friday night after recovering from an ankle injury, while Fergus McFadden (hamstring), Ian Nagle (pectoral muscle) and Dan Leavy (hamstring) are all being assessed ahead of Thursday’s team announcement.
Leo Cullen won’t know until later in the week who he’ll have available for this week with Joe Schmidt yet to finalise his selection for Ireland’s final November Test against Argentina. The likes of Dave Kearney, Andrew Porter and James Tracy may yet be released from international camp.
Leinster will definitely be without Mick Kearney (AC joint) and Josh van der Flier (ankle) but both have made good progress in their respective rehab programmes, while Barry Daly (ankle), Jamie Heaslip (back) and Tom Daly (knee) remain long-term absentees.
As was confirmed by the IRFU this morning, Joey Carbery has suffered a fractured wrist and it’s unlikely the Leinster back will feature again this year.
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