The Leinster squad will play their final game of this Six Nations block away to the Newport Gwent Dragons in Friday night’s RaboDirect PRO12 clash in Rodney Parade (KO: 7pm) and the management have reported no major injury concerns arising from the weekend victory over the Scarlets…
Leinster secured their seventh successive victory in all competitions at a wintry RDS on Saturday night and the province could be bolstered by the return of South African lock Quinn Roux who has an outside chance of making the match-day panel after stepping up his rehabilitation following recent shoulder surgery.
Though Isaac Boss (rolled ankle) was replaced as a precaution midway through the second half, his replacement John Cooney touched down with the final play of the game to help secure a bonus point, a five-pointer which was his second in Leinster colours. Aaron Dundon scored his first Leinster try in a fine all-round display by the former Seapoint and Clontarf hooker who secured the Man of the Match award. Saturday’s win also marked Mark Flanagan’s first outing of the season when the Mullingar second row replaced another Academy product Ben Marshall.
It may be a week too soon for Kevin McLaughlin (knee) but Brendan Macken (hamstring niggle) should come back into the frame for Friday evening’s match.
Depending on national needs, it is possible that some of the players who haven’t featured prominently over the Six Nations could also be available for selection, though a decision is likely to be made later in the week ahead of Thursday’s midday team announcement.
Friday’s fixture, which is the province’s last game for three weeks, is not scheduled to be televised, though Leinster Rugby will be providing live Twitter feeds via @leinsterrugby.
Leinster will then face back-to-back home league games in the RDS against second placed Glasgow Warriors (March 23rd) and then league leaders Ulster (March 30th).
Meanwhile, tickets for the annual Leinster Rugby Awards Ball – which takes place in the Mansion House Dublin on Saturday, 4th May and celebrates the achievements of all facets of the game across the province – are on sale now ONLINE HERE
