Rugby

James Ryan and Hugo Keenan set to boost Champions Cup chances by playing against Ulster

Garry Ringrose’s participation remains in doubt due to ‘frustrating’ injury

Hugo Keenan is expected to be able to play for the first time in more than a month when Leinster take on Ulster this weekend. Photograph: Dan Sheridan/Inpho

Daire Walsh
Tue May 14 2024 - 06:00

Following an extended period on the sidelines for both players, Leinster assistant coach Andrew Goodman is hopeful James Ryan and Hugo Keenan can return to competitive action against Ulster in Belfast this weekend.

An arm injury picked up in a “freak accident” during Ireland training ruled Ryan out of the final two games of the Six Nations championship, as well as the last eight competitive fixtures Leinster have played across the Champions Cup and the United Rugby Championship, but he is expected to resume full training before the Ulster game.

Keenan has been absent since a hip injury forced his late withdrawal from the starting line-up for the Champions Cup quarter-final win over La Rochelle at the Aviva Stadium on April 13th, but the fullback is also set to be available for selection at Kingspan Stadium. Given both men will have their sights set on featuring in the Champions Cup final against Toulouse at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday week, Goodman acknowledged it is important for them to get some minutes under their belts as soon as possible.

“Hopefully they get through training this week and are ready to go. You want guys to play footy and we know it’s important for them to get minutes under their belt. You can do all the training you want, but you can’t replicate the physicality and the decision-making under pressure that a game demands,” said Goodman.

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While this is encouraging news for Goodman and the rest of the Leinster coaching staff, there is an element of frustration surrounding the fitness of Garry Ringrose.

A shoulder injury sustained in a Champions Cup victory against Leicester on January 20th limited his involvement during Ireland’s successful Six Nations campaign. He was expected to be available for Leinster’s European semi-final clash with Northampton at Croke Park but a setback in his recovery from a similar issue meant he had to watch from the stands.

Although he will be assessed as the week goes on, there is no guarantee that he will be able to play in the Ulster game.

“Frustrating is the right word. I think everyone’s a little bit frustrated. You feel for Garry in terms of where he’s at. It’s just one of those ones, day-to-day, it could come better just like that and he will be good to go again. He has been training and training well, so it’s just the final couple of steps we need to tick off there,” said Goodman.

Despite the focus within the group being on their clash with Ulster and giving themselves the best possible chance of securing a top seeding in the knock-out rounds of the URC, anticipation is continuing to grow from outside for Leinster’s latest attempt at claiming a fifth European top-tier title at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on May 25th.

That is something their final opponents Toulouse achieved back in 2021, when they overcame the challenge of fellow Top 14 outfit La Rochelle in a compelling decider that was held at Twickenham. Whereas Covid restrictions meant only 10,000 people were allowed through the turnstiles for that contest, a cauldron-like atmosphere is anticipated on Saturday week.

Leinster have enjoyed convincing semi-final triumphs over Toulouse in the past two seasons, but due to the impressive style of rugby that Ugo Mola’s charges like to produce, Goodman believes their latest duel will be one that captures the attention of the general public.

“I think it’s great we got Toulouse in the final. I think if we had a dream final, if someone had asked me at the start of the year, I’d have loved to play Toulouse in the final because I enjoy watching them play,” added Goodman.

“I think they play a great brand of rugby. I think we play a great brand of rugby. It’s exciting to prepare for and I’m sure there are people out there excited to see how it unfolds.”

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