LEINSTER SCRUM COACH John Fogarty hopes to have his front row bolstered by Sean Cronin when Cardiff Blues visit for Saturday’s Pro12 fixture.
Cronin missed the Six Nations campaign because of a hamstring injury, but is nearing a comeback after running and scrummaging in training last week.
Captain Isa Nacewa (knee) and Josh van der Flier (shoulder) are also among those who will be trying to prove their fitness for the RDS fixture this week.
“Sean trained last week, as did Josh. they’re on the field running, but didn’t take a lot of contact,” Fogarty said today.
Sean did a bit of scrummaging on Friday. So we’re hopeful that Sean, like Isa, can get through the week physically.”
The front-line international contingent will play no part against the Blues, but province’s medical team hope that both Jamie Heaslip and Rob Kearney will be cleared to face Wasps in the Champions cup quarter-final on 1 April.
Today’s updated medical report says that Heaslip’s injury trouble “stems from his lower back” and both he and Kearney (knee) will see a specialist on their respective issues this week.
Fogarty added: “Those guys will take some time. They’ve been in camp, pretty intense atmosphere and got through a lot of rugby. For this weekend they’ll not be involved with us regardless of how they feel.”
“We’ve stayed in touch with all the guys in camp. They’re aware of where things are at the moment in Leinster. There’s a really strong feeling that we want to be involved in special days at the end of the season and we’re lucky there’s a strong group of players coming back who want to contribute.”
Rory O’Loughlin (shoulder) and Tom Daly (knee) will be fit and available for selection to Leo Cullen.
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