Rob Kearney a major doubt for Leinster’s European opener

Luke Fitzgerald set to return to training on Tuesday after shoulder injury

Rob Kearney picked up a hamstring injury in Leinster’s Pro 12 game against Scarlets at the RDS. Photograph:  Ryan Byrne/Inpho
Rob Kearney picked up a hamstring injury in Leinster’s Pro 12 game against Scarlets at the RDS. Photograph: Ryan Byrne/Inpho

Rob Kearney is a major doubt ahead of Leinster's opening Champions Cup match against Wasps at the RDS on Sunday (1.0).

The Ireland fullback damaged his hamstring in a Guinness Pro12 game against the Scarlets on Friday night and was taken off immediately. Coincidentally the player who replaced him, Ben Te’o, also came off prematurely but his ‘glute strain’ is not expected to keep him out of the weekend.

There was better news for the province in relation of Luke Fitzgerald. He picked up a shoulder injury in the victory over Benetton Treviso but has subsequently seen a specialist and has been cleared to return to training, which he will do, on Tuesday.

Seán Cronin, who was due to play against the Scarlets, was withdrawn with a slight calf niggle but he too has been cleared to resume training.

John O'Sullivan

John O'Sullivan

John O'Sullivan is an Irish Times sports writer