Leinster issue ‘no further update’ message about one their three injured British and Irish Lions
Lions pick Tadhg Furlong hasn't played for Leinster since the May 3 loss to Northampton
Leinster have issued an update on their three injured British and Irish Lions picks, claiming that two – Josh van der Flier and Garry Ringrose – are due to be further assessed this week ahead of the United Rugby Championship semi-final with Glasgow. However, there was no encouragement regarding the availability of Tadhg Furlong.
The Irish province named nine of their dozen Lions in the starting line-up for last Saturday’s scratchy quarter-final win over Scarlets and they also had Dan Sheehan providing cover from the bench.
Back-rower Van der Flier exited before the half-hour mark in the 33-21 win and no update was provided in the immediate aftermath as to the extent of his injury. His situation has now been clarified, with Leinster confirming on Monday that a hamstring injury hasn’t yet ruled him out of selection for the semi-final.
Midfielder Ringrose hasn’t featured since the May 10 hammering of Zebre due to a calf injury, but his province have given him a chance of playing in his first match in four weeks.
With Van der Flier and Ringrose still in the semi-final selection hunt, it’s the outlook surrounding tighthead Furlong that is the most concerning. His 53-minute Champions Cup run against Northampton on May 3 was just his seventh club appearance this season while his only Ireland cap came off the bench away to Italy in mid-March.
Furlong latest will surely concern Lions boss Andy Farrell
Furlong was last selected as an unused sub in the May 17 win over Glasgow and was last week reported by Leinster to be “unavailable for selection against Scarlets having picked up a minor calf injury”.
This ‘minor’ issue has seemingly persisted, though, as there was no confirmation from the Irish province that the knock has healed and that he might feature in next Saturday’s semi-final – a development that will surely concern Lions boss Andy Farrell.
A statement read: “Jordan Larmour has returned to full training after recovering from injury and will be available for selection this week. Josh van der Flier will be further assessed this week for a hamstring injury he picked up in Saturday’s win over Scarlets before a final decision will be made on his availability.
“Garry Ringrose will be further assessed for a calf injury and Tommy O’Brien will be further assessed for a foot injury before a final decision will be made on their availability. There are no further updates on Will Connors, Brian Deeny, Caelan Doris, Tadhg Furlong and Robbie Henshaw.”
