RUGBY:JAMIE HEASLIP remains the only significant concern for Leinster, and Ireland, with the Six Nations looming, as the Lions number eight has yet to recover from an ankle injury he initially sustained away to Clermont Auvergne on December 12th, writes GAVIN CUMMISKEY.
This is the first time in the 27-year-old’s senior career he has been unable to play due to injury.
A decision on Heaslip’s availability for Friday’s final Pool game against Racing Metro 92 in Paris will be made on Thursday but considering Leinster have already secured qualification for the Heineken Cup quarter-final, although not a home tie, the Ireland management may intervene.
Declan Kidney announces a 30-man Six Nations squad at lunchtime tomorrow.
In Heaslip’s absence, Seán O’Brien produced yet another man-of-the-match performance from number eight during the 43-20 destruction of Saracens last Saturday, while Dominic Ryan came on to the blindside flank and crossed for two tries.
The good news for coach Joe Schmidt is Gordon D’Arcy should return, having recovered from a calf strain.
Concerns in Ulster, ahead of their seminal round six fixture against Aironi at the Stadio Luigi Zaffanella this Saturday, are primarily focused on the availability of their international frontrowers Rory Best and BJ Botha.
Best is nursing damaged ribs, while the Springbok tighthead prop sustained an elbow injury in the final stages of the 9-6 victory over Biarritz last Saturday at Ravenhill and must be considered doubtful.
