JAMIE OSBORNE HAS returned to full training with Leinster and is thus available for the URC clash with Munster at Thomond Park on Friday, 27 December.
Osborne has been absent since suffering a groin injury during Ireland’s Autumn Series, but is now in contention for a return in Friday’s Interpro.
Meanwhile, Leinster will assess all of Max Deegan, Jack Conan, Jordan Larmour, and Tommy O’Brien before deciding on their availability to face Munster. Deegan is following graduated return to play protocols, while Conan was withdrawn during the first half of last weekend’s win over Connacht as a precaution. Larmour and O’Brien were stood down from the matchday squad for that victory out of precaution.
Dan Sheehan, Rob Russell, Will Connors, Tadhg Furlong, Ciarán Frawley, Hugo Keenan, James Lowe, Liam Turner and Thomas Clarkson all remain unavailable.
Leinster will name their team to face Munster at noon on St Stephen’s Day.
Elsewhere, Ulster say Stuart McCloskey (hamstring) and Zac Ward (ankle) sustained injuries in last Friday’s defeat to Munster, and are undergoing scans to establish the severities of their respective issues. Ulster face Connacht at the Dexcom Stadium on Saturday, 28 December.
In better news for Ulster, all of Ben Carson, Ethan McIlroy, Jake Flannery, Cormac Izuchukwu, Nick Timoney, Iain Henderson and Nathan Doak have resumed team training following their recent injuries. Ulster have yet to confirm their availability for the Connacht clash.
Leinster will field something along the lines of the below (I reckon Porter is getting a proper rest), which is going to be tough for Munster considering their injury profile.
1. Milne
2. RK
3. Slimani
4. Ryan
5. JMcC
6. Baird
7. VDF
8. Doris
9. JGP
10. SP
11. JOB
12. Henshaw
13. Ringrose
14. TOB or Larmour
15. Osborne
16. McC
17. Healy
18. Boyle
19. RG
20. Culhane
21. Penny
22. Gunne
23. Barrett
@Andrew Slazenger: I’d like to see Baird start and Gunne to get good game time.
@Andrew Slazenger: Neither RG or Barrett appeared to train yesterday, so are unlikely to feature. Especially since it’s a short turn around with an additional rest day tomorrow. I’d be surprised if Porter doesn’t feature.
Great to hear JO is returning to fitness, he will be needed for the six Nations provided he can remain injury free. Ditto for his brother who had a good game on the weekend. Would love to see them both playing for Ireland.
Ulster have a lot of returning players, which is really good news for the game against Connacht.
Munster really unfortunate with the level of injuries they are having. Hopefully, this is just a phase they’re going through. Kleyn is very unlucky so far this year.