Talk about a couple of handy impact subs
Leinster coach Matt O’Connor may be able to include Ireland internationals Sean O’Brien and Cian Healy in his squad for this weekemd’s Champions Cup encounter with Wasps.
The Australian, buoyed by Leinster’s 50-8 victory over Castres on Saturday, now has a squad approaching full fitness. Long-term absentees Healy and O’Brien have recovered well from respective hamstring and shoulder injuries and, by the accounts of the Leinster coaching staff, raring to go.
Leinster assistant coach Richie Murphy told us, ‘They are both in full training this week so it will be a case of seeing how they are getting on and decision will be made [on their participation] later on in the week… You’re always hopeful that they will be there but it is a case of where they are at, physically, and if they are ready for a game like this.’
As for the shoulder knock that Leinster captain Jamie Heaslip at the weekend, Murphy says, ‘He came off early but it was more precautionary than anything. He picked up a little bit of a bang but he’s absolutely fine. He was in good spirits this morning. He did exactly what [training] everybody else did, this morning.’
Murphy believes improvements to Leinster’s set-piece provided quality ball for the backline to exploit weaknesses in the Castres defence. A win at the Ricoh Arena – Wasps’ new home ground – will secure a home quarter final while a losing point would be enough to secure a place in the knock-out stages. The second scenario, Murphy insists, will not be entertained at Leinster HQ this week.
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