Lions trio doubtful for Leinster’s Investec Champions Cup clash as provinces issue updates that include Ioane setback
Leinster prop Andrew Porter and Ulster scrum-half Nathan Doak are both doubtful for this weekend.
Leinster head coach Leo Cullen faces a nervous wait over the fitness of Andrew Porter, James Ryan and Garry Ringrose ahead of their Investec Champions Cup clash with Sale.
The quarter-final meeting at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin this Saturday sees Leinster looking to wrap up a place in the semi-finals, with the Sharks massive underdogs.
Ahead of the game and following a 49-31 victory over Edinburgh in the round of 16, Cullen has revealed that the aforementioned trio are all due to be further assessed.
Trio being monitored
A decision on the Ireland players’ availability will be made later this week with Leinster supporters no doubt eager for Porter, Ringrose and Ryan to get the all clear.
There was good news regarding Tadhg Furlong and Jimmy O’Brien though, who came through Sunday’s round of 16 win with no issues and are available for selection.
Leinster revealed that there are no further updates on Jack Boyle, Hugh Cooney, Jordan Larmour, James Lowe, Diarmuid Mangan, Paddy McCarthy and RG Snyman.
Moving to the Challenge Cup and Ulster have suffered a blow ahead of their quarter-final against Ronan O’Gara’s team, a match that takes place at Affidea Stadium.
Rob Herring (calf) and Nathan Doak (ankle) picked up injuries in Saturday’s dramatic victory over Ospreys and are injury doubts for this week’s last-eight meeting.
Stewart Moore (knee), Rory McGuire (shoulder), James McNabney (knee), Michael Lowry (groin) and Robert Baloucoune (elbow) are out with longer term injuries.
Ioane ruled out
Elsewhere, Connacht will also be minus a key player this weekend as fly-half Josh Ioane (head) is unavailable to face Montpellier as he will follow the GRTP protocols.
There is also concern surrounding veteran hooker Dave Heffernan (hip), who will be assessed by Connacht’s medical team before a decision is made on his availability.
Want more from Planet Rugby? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for world-class coverage you can trust.
In positive news for Connacht, Shayne Bolton (quad), Hugh Gavin (shoulder), Sean Jansen (calf), David O’Connor (wrist) and Harry West (knee) will all begin to integrate into training this week, and will be assessed before the travelling squad to South Africa is named, a tour that sees them take on the Stormers and Lions in the URC.
Oisin McCormack (shoulder) has undergone surgery which sadly ends his season while there’s no updates from the province on Temi Lasisi, Oisin Dowling, Caolin Blade, David Hawkshaw, Byron Ralston, Mack Hansen and Finn Treacy, with Connacht currently on an impressive run of form, winning their last six games in all competitions.