RUGBY:THE GOOD news for Leinster and Ireland is Lions winger Luke Fitzgerald has returned to training ahead of schedule from his second knee injury in 12 months and looks set to play some part in Friday's meeting with the Ospreys at the RDS Showgrounds.
However, Munster hooker Jerry Flannery is almost certainly out of the next three weeks action due to a new calf strain he sustained as a replacement in last Saturday’s defeat of Ulster at Thomond Park.
Today’s scan will provide confirmation but Flannery’s abortive comeback from an injury-plagued 18 months will see him miss the season-defining round five (away to Toulon) and six (home to London Irish) Heineken Cup games.
It is considered highly doubtful Flannery will regain fitness in time for next month’s Six Nations. Munster coach Tony McGahan has a seven-day window before making a decision on whether to register a third hooker or former Canterbury tighthead prop Peter Borlase. Only one player can be registered with one deregisterd at this juncture – the deadline is next Tuesday at noon.
Damien Varley and Mike Sherry have both impressed in Flannery’s absence, while the other contracted Munster hooker, Denis Fogarty, has just returned to light training after shoulder surgery.
The next in line, should McGahan opt to go into Europe with three specialists hookers, is Seán Henry. The Sligo-born 23-year-old was drafted into the Munster academy last summer after impressing for UL Bohemians and has already featured off the bench.
And yet, Borlase is seen as a long-term investment by Munster and potentially Ireland as he will be eligible for an international call-up after completing the three-year residency requirements.
The 25-year-old was a late arrival this season due to his commitments with Canterbury as they won the ITM Cup (National Provincial Championship) in New Zealand. He did feature at tighthead over the festive period and looks set to provide genuine competition for Tony Buckley and John Hayes.
If Flannery is confirmed as unfit then he may be de-registered, with either Henry or Borlase promoted to the Heineken Cup squad. But other injured options like Alan Quinlan, Ian Dowling and Felix Jones could also be replaced in the European panel.
Ian Nagle is expected to be available for selection against Glasgow this Saturday despite being a late withdrawal against Ulster due to illness. Paul O’Connell returns from suspension after this weekend and is expected to come straight into the 23-man squad for the trip to Toulon despite his lack of match practice.
Ospreys visit to Dublin is a repeat of last May’s inaugural Grand final and sees Leinster’s international contingent return after being unavailable last week due to a training camp ahead of the Six Nations.
Gordon D’Arcy, Cian Healy, Jamie Heaslip and Jonathan Sexton missed the interprovincial victories over Ulster and Connacht but all are expected to feature against the defending Magners League champions as Leinster step up their preparations for round five of the Heineken Cup against Saracens on January 15th.
Stanley Wright is another player on the road to recovery and may come back into the Leinster frontrow as early as next month.
