Out-of-action Isa Nacewa adds to Leinster’s injury crisis

Leinster have something of a midfield injury crisis heading into the first defining period of their season.

Compounding the long-term absence of Garry Ringrose, it has emerged that captain Isa Nacewa, who has been playing at inside centre as Robbie Henshaw continues his rehabilitation from a shoulder operation, will miss next Saturday's marquee Guinness Pro14 game against Munster at the Aviva Stadium and their opening European Champions Cup game the following Saturday at the RDS.

Nacewa suffered a calf strain in Leinster's defeat in South Africa to the Cheetahs, and had been seemingly in line for a return against Munster next Saturday, but is now expected to be sidelined for another two weeks.

Sidelined

Henshaw, who has not played since injuring his shoulder in the British & Irish Lions final midweek game against the Hurricanes, had expressed the hope that he would return for last Friday's win over Edinburgh, but Leo Cullen is optimistic he will return this week.

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With Tom Daly also sidelined, Noel Reid suffered a knock to the head and was replaced against Edinburgh, which compelled Leinster to finish Friday's game with Academy winger Jordan Larmour partnering Rory O'Loughlin in midfield.