Rugby:While the Leinster management team remain optimistic on Brian O'Driscoll's knee injury, forwards coach Jono Gibbes has conceded they will have to wait until the end of the week before any decision is taken on his availability for Saturday's Heineken Cup final.
The Ireland captain limped out of the Magners League semi-final win over Ulster last Friday, casting a major doubt over his fitness for the match against Northampton in Cardiff.
O’Driscoll didn’t train with the rest of the squad today, and was joined on the sidelines by Richardt Strauss and Isaac Boss, but an official communiqué from the province suggested all of the injury concerns should be okay by Wednesday.
"Following medicals on Sunday, it is thought that Isaac Boss (tight hamstring), Brian O’Driscoll (knee) and Richardt Strauss (bruised hip) should all be back training by Wednesday and be available for selection this weekend," the statement explained.
Gibbes, however, was slightly more circumspect when addressing reporters. Describing the injury as “touch-and-go”, he added: “Drico’s probably the one that it’s going to be a bit more wait and see. Positive with everyone else and as the week progresses I think they’ll all get a hell of a lot better. Drico’s going to take the most time and is the most concerning of the lot.”
Three Leinster players, meanwhile, have been named on the shortlist for the ERC European Player of the Year award. Ireland internationals Jamie Heaslip and O'Brien join Fijian fullback Isa Nacewa on the five-man list, having played key roles in Leinster's pursuit of a League and Cup double this season.
They will go up against Northampton’s giant prop Soane Tonga'uiha and Stade Francais talisman Sergio Parisse for Europe's top individual award. Tonga'uiha is likely to face Leinster on Saturday, while Parisse will be going for glory in the Amlin Challenge Cup when the Parisians take on Harlequins.
The winner will be announced on May 24th and a presentation made by tournament organisers ERC at his respective club.
