Leinster hopeful of Cian Healy and Sean O’Brien return

Leinster hope that Cian Healy and Sean O'Brien will be fit for their final European Champions Cup pool match against Wasps this week. The Irish loosehead prop and flanker have been training well with the squad and have engaged in contact at the Leinster sessions.

Healy has been a long term injury after tearing his hamstring, while O’Brien has been rehabbing after a shoulder reconstruction followed by an infection.

But kicking and skills coach Richie Murphy was optimistic yesterday about the fitness of both players.

“Cian is training again this week and is doing really well. He is a possibility this week,” said Murphy. “Sean is back training. He’s doing really well. He’s in contention and in back into full training. Both players are in good positions at the moment.”

Otherwise the Leinster players came through their seven try win over Castres injury free. Captain and number 8, Jamie Heaslip, along with a number of other players, was taken off early as Leinster romped to their four bonus point tries by halftime but none of the substitutions were forced because of injury.

“Everyone came through alright,” added Murphy. “Jamie came off at half time, more precautionary. He picked up a small bang on his shoulder but he’s fine and fit to go. There were no other injuries.”

Leinster play Wasps on Saturday in Coventry with the winner ensuring a place in the knock out stages.