Speaking to the media at Leinster Rugby HQ in UCD on Tuesday afternoon, scrum coach John Fogarty provided an update on the fitness of the squad ahead of Saturday’s return to Guinness PRO14 action against Zebre (RDS Arena, KO 2pm).
Over 13,500 tickets have been sold for the first of the two back-to-back meeting at the RDS with both of the PRO14’s Italian clubs, with tickets available from €20 for adults and €10 for under-18s for the game against Zebre.
Fogarty confirmed that there were “a few bumps and bruises, but nothing major to report” following the win over Saracens on Easter Sunday.
Rhys Ruddock came through the Saracens game – coming off the bench to make his first appearance since December – and will be further assessed this week ahead of selection for Zebre.
Luke McGrath went over on his ankle against Saracens and will also be assessed this week ahead of selection.
Speaking about McGrath, Fogarty said: “He did go over on his ankle; I don’t suspect that it’s anything sinister. It’s important that he’s nice and fresh. He’s a big player for us. I thought himself and Johnny [Sexton] did a great job [as a half-back pairing].”
There was also an update on Seán O’Brien, who returned to training last week after a shoulder injury.
“He did everything he could last week to get back,” Fogarty said of the Tullow man.
“He was quite close, but the feeling is he has a few more markers to get to. It’s important that he comes back and he’s nice and fresh. We don’t want him back and thinking about his injury and not performing to the level that he can. It’s exciting that he’s very close to coming back. He’s doing all that he can at this stage.”
There was positive news for Jordan Larmour, who picked up an injury during the Six Nations. The former St Andrew’s man is due to return to training next week ahead of the Benetton Rugby match.
