Dave Kearney will miss Biarritz game

The Leinster wing is rehabilitating under the IRB back-to-play guidelines

Dave Kearney was knocked unconscious in the victory over Munster at Thomond Park. Photograph: James Crombie/Inpho
Dave Kearney was knocked unconscious in the victory over Munster at Thomond Park. Photograph: James Crombie/Inpho

Dave Kearney will not be available for Leinster's Amlin Challenge semi-final against Biarritz Olympique in Dublin on Saturday.

The winger, who suffered concussion playing in a PRO 12 match against Munster two weekends ago, when a misdirected boot from Paul O'Connell knocked him unconscious, is still under the back-to-play guidelines set down by the IRB.

"Dave Kearney is on a pretty strict return to play protocol around concussion so I don't think he is looking good at all (for this week)," said assistant coach Jono Gibbes.

"Other than that I think we are reasonably happy." Kearney did not train this week and Leinster has not yet set a date for his return.

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Otherwise, the Leinster squad came through the weekend's match against Zebre in good physical shape with Jonny Sexton also reporting a clean bill of health after his first match back since injuring a foot tendon during the Six Nations Championship.

It means coach Joe Schmidt will have to make an important call between the in- form Ian Madigan or the fit again Irish outhalf Sexton, who appears to be in pole position to start. That decision will be made on Thursday and the team will be named after the captain's run on Friday afternoon.

Johnny Watterson

Johnny Watterson

Johnny Watterson is a sports writer with The Irish Times