Leinster receive boost despite injuries ahead of Pro14 opener

Leinster will have an additional number of their Irish players available for Saturday's opening Guinness Pro14 clash with the Dragons at Rodney Parade (kick off: 3.15pm) to offset what is a sizeable injury list.

There is also the fact that Leinster’s Lions will not be available until probably round five of the Pro14. The Irish province enjoyed pre-season victories over Gloucester and Bath while losing away to Perpignan and managed to play 15 academy players during that time.

Jamie Heaslip's return full training is "imminent" according to an official communiqué while Sean O'Brien (shoulder), Johnny Sexton (wrist/ankle), Robbie Henshaw (torn pectoral muscle) and Tadhg Furlong (thumb surgery) will all be back ahead of the Champions Cup matches in October. Garry Ringrose is still a couple of months away from a return to competitive fare.

Dave Kearney was withdrawn from the Bath win last weekend after complaining of a tight groin and he will be assessed during the week while hooker Sean Cronin came through 40-minutes with no ill effects.

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Tom Daly (ruptured ACL) had surgery on a knee after damaging it in the Perpignan match and will miss the first half of the season. Prop Peter Dooley (strained bicep tendon), Noel Reid (fractured bone in hand) and hooker Bryan Byrne (strained knee ligament) won't be available for a few weeks.

Peadar Timmins (calf) won't be available for selection ahead of the Dragons game.