Leinster’s frontrow stocks have been dealt a blow with the news that Cian Healy has picked up a shoulder injury and will be unavailable for selection for a number of weeks.
The loosehead missed out on Ireland’s recent World Cup campaign due to a foot injury picked up in the warm-up matches, but was close to a return to action for his province. However, a shoulder issue picked up in training last week saw him miss the URC opener to Glasgow and has been deemed serious enough to warrant a prolonged absence.
The news comes as a blow as Leinster’s inexperienced frontrow struggled as the province began their domestic campaign with a heavy defeat away in Scotstoun. The scrum was a particular area of concern, as experienced Glasgow, Scotland and British and Irish Lions prop Zander Fagerson played a significant role in winning his side a number of set-piece penalties.
Leinster welcome South African side the Sharks to the RDS on Saturday evening.
READ MORE
During Sunday’s defeat, Leinster had the inexperienced Jack Boyle starting at loosehead while 20-year-old Paddy McCarthy made his provincial debut off the bench. Both props have had success at junior level as members of Ireland U20 Grand Slam-winning squads in 2022 and 2023 respectively.
Elsewhere, hooker John McKee awaits further assessment of a hamstring injury picked up in Glasgow before a decision is made on his fitness. Luke McGrath is in the same situation after picking up a knee issue.
In better injury news, Clontarf backrow Martin Moloney has returned to training after a lengthy absence with a knee injury. Moloney has been out since suffering a serious ACL injury during a victory over the Scarlets almost 12 months ago.
Michael Milne is still recovering from a shoulder injury, though the province says he is in the final stages of his rehabilitation, while Ed Byrne and Alex Soroka remain unavailable for this weekend with a hamstring and foot injury respectively.
Meanwhile Munster are giving three players until later in the week before making a decision on their fitness for the weekend. Ahead of Sunday’s clash with Treviso, Calvin Nash, Fionn Gibbins and new signing Seán O’Brien all remain doubts.
Nash was a late scratch from Saturday’s win over the Sharks while Gibbons picked up a facial injury in that match. O’Brien had previously been ruled out with a thigh problem.
Simon Zebo (foot), Jack O’Sullivan (knee), Liam Coombes (thigh), Patrick Campbell (ankle), Roman Salanoa (knee), Mike Haley (hip), Cian Hurley (ankle/achilles) and Paddy Patterson (knee) all continue to rehab and won’t feature this weekend.
Connacht have just one injury concern after their round one win over Ospreys, though it is a significant one. Outhalf Jack Carty sustained a facilal laceration during the game that required a visit to hospital. Head coach Pete Wilkins has said it is likely Carty will miss “a week or two.”
