Leinster head coach Leo Cullen is monitoring a lengthy injury list ahead of Saturday’s Vodacom URC semi-final against the Stormers at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium.
The Irish giants booked their place in the last four with a dominant 59-10 victory over the Lions, but several players are now racing against time to prove their fitness.
Cullen confirmed that a decision on the availability of seven frontline internationals will only be made later this week.
Prop Tadhg Furlong, hookers Dan Sheehan and Rónan Kelleher, and lock Joe McCarthy are the forwards being assessed after picking up knocks over the past fortnight, while centre Garry Ringrose and wingers Tommy O’Brien and Jordan Larmour are the backline concerns.
There was no fresh news on a number of longer-term absentees, including Springbok lock RG Snyman, Ryan Baird, Jack Boyle, Will Connors, Hugh Cooney, Charlie Tector and Paddy McCarthy.
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The Stormers are dealing with their own setback after losing Springbok flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu to an ankle injury sustained in the quarter-final win against Cardiff.
They are also without Springbok scrumhalf Cobus Reinach and flank Deon Fourie (both knee injuries) as well as wing Seabelo Senatla (concussion).
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The Stormers thrashed a weakened Leinster side 35-0 in Cape Town in the opening round, but can expect a very different challenge on Saturday.
Leinster are going all out to retain their URC title after losing the Investec Champions Cup final to Bordeaux Bègles in Bilbao.
POLL: Who will contest URC final?
Photo: David Rogers/Getty Images
The post Leinster sweating on stars ahead of Stormers semi appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Leinster head coach Leo Cullen is monitoring a lengthy injury list ahead of Saturday’s Vodacom URC semi-final against the Stormers at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium.
The post Leinster sweating on stars ahead of Stormers semi appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
