Besides Zane Kirchner replacing Fergus McFadden, it's unlikely that Matt O'Connor will make any changes to the Leinster side that lost so valiantly to Toulon for Friday's Pro12 game in Belfast.
McFadden undergoes thumb surgery Wednesday morning but, all going well, he's expected to recover within eight weeks. That's enough time to get back in the reckoning for World Cup selection but the 28-year-old's season has been cursed by injury.
It started with an ankle strain against Munster in October before his first thumb problem ruled him out of the back-to-back Harlequins games in December. He fought his way back into the Wolfhounds team to play the Saxons last January but injured rib cartilage, which ended any hope of featuring in the Six Nations.
Concussed
Then he was concussed by Bath’s Anthony Watson in the
Champions Cup
quarter-final.
At least there is a quality replacement in Kirchner, with Dave Kearney expected to come onto the bench.
Kane Douglas follows McFadden under the knife on Thursday for a back/disc issue that seems far more serious. Douglas is not expected to play rugby for three months but could, conceivably, make Michael Cheika’s Wallaby squad for the World Cup.
Besides McFadden, it seems no Leinster player sustained an injury serious enough to rule them out of the win-or-bust fixture against Ulster.
Shane Jennings has not fully completed the head injury assessment protocols after sustaining a concussion against the Dragons, while Tom Denton has yet to recover from a bicep strain. Kevin McLaughlin is back training after shoulder surgery, but the backrow, despite Rhys Ruddock also being ruled out, is not an area of concern for O’Connor.
The performances of Jamie Heaslip, Seán O'Brien and Jordi Murphy at Stade Vélodrome undoubtedly contributed to Toulon owner Mourad Boudjellal stating: "I had prepared a speech to be gracious in defeat. I will keep this speech for the final. If the drop goal [from Jimmy Gopperth in the 78th minute] is five inches to the left Leinster may be in the final. We certainly wouldn't have won this game in Ireland.
Strongest possible
“By the way, I heard that Leinster was not the same team but they showed that they are still a super team, it’s pretty rare that we go through an experience like Sunday.”
Ulster will be fielding their strongest possible side as they endeavour to play out the campaign at home by earning a home semi-final. The final has already been awarded to the Belfast venue and a sellout is confirmed.
Nick Williams, suspended for the remainder of the season, means Roger Wilson will be at number eight, with Chris Henry and Iain Henderson completing their backrow. Dan Tuohy and Franco van der Merwe will fill the secondrow, with Rory Best captaining them from hooker.
Neil Doak is finally able to field a strong backline in consecutive games as Darren Cave looks to continue at inside centre with Jarred Payne wearing 13. Cave has been one of Ulster’s best performers this season with eight tries. Stuart Olding is ruled out with a long-term injury so Luke Marshall and Stuart McCloskey battle it out to provide cover on the bench, along with Ian Humphreys and Paul Marshall. Expect to see the dangerous back three of Louis Ludik, Tommy Bowe and Craig Gilroy.
Also expect to see the Irish coaches Joe Schmidt, Les Kiss and Simon Easterby in the stand. The match is live on BBC ans Sky Sports.
Meanwhile, Connacht, who have a crucial game of their own at home to Pro12 leaders Glasgow on Saturday, must make do without 13 players.
They currently lie sixth, the last automatic qualification sport for the Champions Cup, only ahead of the Scarlets on points difference.
Quinn Roux’s season is over as he needs surgery due to the ankle syndesmosis injury sustained recently against Ulster. Mick Kearney (toe surgery) has also played his last game for the province before joining Leinster this summer, while Nathan White faces eight weeks out with a back problem.
