PRO 12:THE RELATIVELY good news around Leinster's training pitch at Thornfields, UCD, yesterday was that the knee Luke Fitzgerald hurt last Friday against Ospreys is his good one and a subsequent scan showed no serious damage.
Leinster are hopeful he will be available this week. The same holds for Jamie Hagan, who coach Joe Schmidt is certain was punched in front of the referee. But Hagan too, despite a narrow slit for one of his eyes, should be available for selection against Dragons on Friday night.
That positive prognosis left Schmidt bemused more than annoyed at the obviousness of the dig. This time, at least, he still has his player.
Further uplifting news is that Waikato captain and tighthead prop Nathan White arrives this week after leading his team to the final of New Zealand’s ITM Cup, which they lost against Hamilton. He is also expected to lace up his boots almost straight off the plane.
The bad news is Leinster now have to get over their biggest points defeat (27-3 to Ospreys) under Schmidt’s reign. As backrow Kevin McLaughlin pointed out, there were a few home truths told during the team video session. The performance at the breakdown made for difficult viewing.
“We’re not making excuses, we let ourselves down,” said McLaughlin. “We know it’s not a case of technique or anything. It’s just a case of being hungrier. I think it has to be a mindset and a bit of a wake-up call. It’s time for us to front up this Friday. We’ve got a home game and we’re desperate to hold on to our home record.”
In time-honoured fashion after such a painful defeat, McLaughlin anticipated a testy training session ahead. “I think we’re going to do a bit of collision work today, maybe kick the sh**t out of each other for a while. That never does any harm I suppose,” he said.
Schmidt’s view is by necessity pragmatic. His situation at the beginning of last season was similar with frontline international players missing. But with 14 in New Zealand, Shane Horgan sidelined long-term and back Andrew Conway and Steven Sykes (secondrow) injured against Northampton in the pre-season match he acknowledges Leinster “are walking a tightrope.” And that’s coming from a no-drama coach.
“To be at the bottom of the league is something that will hopefully stir a reaction that will start this Friday at home.”
While Schmidt was aware his squad are an extreme mix of green shoots and weather-beaten professionals, there is no soft shoulder being offered to any of the squad before the Dragons visit.
“To be honest you have to be pretty ruthless,” says Schmidt. “The reality is the reality. When you perform poorly for 40 minutes and put yourself almost out of the game, people have to understand what that really is.”
