LEINSTER HAVE CONFIRMED that Hugo Keenan, Jack Conan, Ciarán Frawley, Thomas Clarkson, and Max Deegan are all available for selection ahead of Sunday’s Champions Cup visit to La Rochelle after recovering from injuries.
Fullback Keenan has been sidelined since suffering a wrist injury in Ireland’s final November Test against Australia.
Out-half/fullback Frawley has been out of action with a back injury he picked up in the Champions Cup win over Bristol on 8 December.
Back row Conan was injured in Leinster’s win over Connacht on 21 December, while Deegan suffered a head injury in the same game.
Tighthead prop Clarkson hasn’t featured since the win over Clermont on 14 December when he sustained an arm injury.
However, Leinster boss Leo Cullen can call on all of Keenan, Frawley, Conan, Deegan, and Clarkson for this weekend’s clash against La Rochelle as his selection options were greatly boosted.
Tighthead prop Tadhg Furlong, who hasn’t played since 12 October due to a hamstring injury, hasn’t been ruled out of the La Rochelle game yet, with Leinster saying he is due to step up his rehabilitation before a final call on his availability “later in the week.”
There was more positive news with Leinster confirming that hooker Dan Sheehan, sidelined with an ACL injury since Ireland’s tour of South Africa last summer, has returned to on-field training as part of his rehabilitation programme. Sheehan hopes to make his return to action his month in what would be a huge boost for province and country.
Leinster say that back row James Culhane [hamstring] and loosehead prop Michael Milne [groin] are unavailable for selection this week after picking up injuries during recent weeks.
James Lowe, Rob Russell, Will Connors, and Liam Turner all remained sidelined too.
Brill career with some attitude that facilitated his success. Very ambitious guy, wish him all the best with the coaching.
He worked hard at the game. I wish him well for the future.
Always remembered him as a nice guy in school. Though the experiences he’s gained playing football seem to have really matured him. He seems really down to earth and humble. Great traits for a footballer. Good luck to him in the coaching career!
Great article. Hail! Hail! Darren forever a Celtic man. Enjoy yr retirement and who knows you might end back at Paradise.
That’s a fantastic read. To be packing it in at 32 must mean he has some serious drive to make a decent go at coaching. Fair play. He seems to know what he wants. Won’t be the last we hear of him !! Great read…
Having played together at Home Farm I officially feel old now. He was a better center back than people ever gave him credit and had a great career. Well done and best of luck in the future.
Didnt he score against Rangers in a Scottish league cup final victory I think..also he became Toronto’s captain for a time and part of the Ireland defence in the famous nil all draw in Moscow
And he gets sent off.. just wanted to feel like zidane.
I was in Milan that night and he was absolutely brilliant. Really thought he was going to be top class. Still had a great career though.
There has to be an interesting book there from all the various experiences.
A bit too good looking for an Irish Footballer / Athlete ( only kidding )