Ulster v Leinster latest: Injuries strike as sides sweat over key Ireland and British and Irish Lions stars
Caelan Doris (right) and Nick Timoney (left) are among four huge doubts for this weekend's meeting between Ulster and Leinster
Ulster and Leinster are sweating over the fitness of key Test stars Nick Timoney, Caelan Doris, Andrew Porter and Josh van der Flier ahead of their pivotal United Rugby Championship (URC) meeting this Friday night.
The aforementioned quartet will all be sent for further investigations on their respective injuries, with a final call on their availabilities to be made later in the week.
Both provinces will name their match-day squads on Thursday, ahead of the crucial clash at Affidea Stadium. The two sides are separated by just one place and one point heading into the game, and a win for either would put some much-needed daylight between themselves and the play-off-chasing pack heading into the final few rounds of the regular season.
Ulster sweat over Nick Timoney
Ireland forward Timoney suffered a hip issue in Ulster’s EPCR Challenge Cup win over La Rochelle last Friday night, and will be taken for further assessment.
“Nick Timoney was withdrawn due to a hip injury during Friday’s Challenge Cup Quarter-Final victory over La Rochelle,” Ulster said in a post on social media.
“His availability for this Friday’s clash with Leinster will be assessed through the week.”
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He is, however, their only fresh injury concern heading into this weekend’s meeting with Leinster.
Leinster injuries pile up as Ireland quartet among five blows
Leinster’s injuries have already been a major issue this season, with Jack Boyle, Jordan Larmour, James Lowe, Diarmuid Mangan, Paddy McCarthy and RG Snyman all ruled out long-term, and it seems there is no end in sight for Leo Cullen.
Forward pair Ryan Baird and Alex Usanov both picked up injuries in their Champions Cup victory over Sale Sharks, with prop Usanov coming off after just three minutes on Saturday while Baird – who has only just made a return to the side after a lengthy injury lay-off – came off after an hour at the Aviva.
Should any of the trio of Doris, Porter and Van der Flier join them, it would leave Leinster with a sizeable hole in their pack.
But, in positive news, Hugh Cooney is back in full training after overcoming a foot injury and comes straight into contention for their visit to Belfast.