Richardt Strauss’s operation a success

Richardt Strauss's heart operation has been deemed a success and the Leinster hooker is expected to play top-flight rugby again.

Leinster have been coping with a lengthy injury list since the start of the season but the South African's condition trumped them all and Guy Easterby's confirmation this afternoon that last week's procedure went to plan has book-ended back-to-back Heineken Cup wins nicely.

"Richardt Strauss had his operation last week and they're confident he'll be back playing at some point in the future," said Easterby today. "We're told that he'll almost definitely have no issue at all playing again."

When exactly that will be is not yet clear, but it will be several months rather than weeks.

His compatriot Zane Kirchner will have made his Leinster debut by then, and may even do so this Saturday against Connacht (6.45pm) after being made available for selection after his arrival in Dublin a fortnight ago.

Flanker Shane Jennings has recovered fully from the broken bone in his hand and is expected to be fit for selection.

There are no new injury worries after the win over Castres at the weekend but Brian O'Driscoll (calf) and Mike Ross both look set to remain on the sidelines for another week at least.

O’Driscoll is “progressing” and, along with Ross (hamstring), has resumed light training this week.

Jordi Murphy, Leo Cullen and Andrew Goodman also remain sidelined.

Emerging prop Martin Moore will benefit from Ross's absence again, while Dave Kearney will make his 60th appearance.