Treviso trip proving more costly than first thought

Leinster will be without Luke Fitzgerald and Kevin McLaughlin for Saturday's home game against Pro 12 leaders Ospreys.

McLaughlin was forced to come off during last Sunday's 24-24 draw with league basement outfit Treviso while Fitzgerald sat out of the upset result in Italy.

A Leinster statement said: “Kevin McLaughlin was removed from the field of play with suspected concussion during the Guinness PRO12 match against Treviso. He is currently following the return to play protocols and will not be involved this weekend.

“Luke Fitzgerald trained well all last week and it was only in the final moments of the warm-up against Treviso that he felt a tightness in his groin.

"It was not worth the risk on the day and Luke will be undergoing rehab this week with a view to returning next Monday ahead of the Champions Cup game against Harlequins."

Elsewhere hooker Richardt Strauss, who was released back to his province after failing to make Joe Schmidt's final-23 for the victory over Australia, faces a race to be fit to play against the Swansea-based outfit.

The statement said: “Richardt Strauss felt his hamstring tighten in the first half of the Treviso game and is being assessed by the medical team at Leinster Rugby. A final decision on Richardt’s inclusion will be made later in the week.

The Leinster team to face Ospreys will be announced on Friday at 2pm.