Leinster issue worrying injury update ahead of URC Grand Final against Bulls as Leo Cullen made to sweat on key players
LEINSTER boss Leo Cullen is sweating on the fitness of several key stars ahead of Saturday's United Rugby Championship Grand Final against the Vodacom Bulls.
Advertisement
2
Leinster boss Leo Cullen issed an injury update ahead of the URC final against the Bulls
2
Josh van der Flier is one of a number of players that are facing a fitness battle for Leinster ahead of the decider against the Bulls
Cullen confirmed that Tommy O'Brien came through last weekend's
Jordan Larmour is also back in the mix after being named in the extended match day squad last time out.
The winger is expected to be in contention for a place in the 23.
But it's far from plain sailing elsewhere, with four big names being closely monitored.
Advertisement
read more on rugby
Tadhg Furlong, Garry Ringrose and Hugo Keenan are all nursing calf injuries and will undergo further assessment during the week.
Meanwhile, 2022 World Player of the Year Josh van der Flier is facing a race against time to prove his fitness after picking up a hamstring knock.
Leinster said a final call will be made on their availability closer to kick-off.
There's no change on the status of Will Connors, Brian Deeny, Caelan Doris, and Robbie Henshaw, who all remain doubtful at this stage.
Advertisement
Most read in Rugby Union
With a historic final taking place at Croke Park, Leinster are desperate to end their recent run of near-misses, and land the
But they may have to do it without some of their biggest names at the historic venue.
'Big weekend' - Peter O'Mahony embarking on hectic gardening project as he aims to add '300 plants'
The action get underway from 5pm KO, live on TG4 and Premier Sports 1.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Daily Mirror
3 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Update on Tadhg Furlong's Lions tour hopes - Andy Farrell on Finlay Bealham call
Tadhg Furlong is on course for Lions action after fears that his tour might be over before it began were dismissed by forwards coach John Dalziel. The Leinster and Ireland tighthead has started the last nine Lions Tests over three tours but hasn't played for his province since early May, when he suffered another calf injury set-back. Furlong has only started five games in nine appearances in total this season and is not expected to be named in Leinster's matchday squad for Saturday's URC Grand Final clash with the Bulls at Croke Park. 'Tadhg has the availability to be able to train and play this week with Leinster,' said Dalziel said from the Lions' Portuguese training base. 'There are no real concerns in terms of his ability to come back to full training. "Tadhg had returned to play and was playing. He's now being modified in terms of [being] off-feet in the last few weeks. We've got no real concerns (around) when comes back to full training and playing. 'We will put our best team and our best foot forward for Argentina, with everybody available the squad will be together on Sunday, everybody in after the finals, then we will select and prepare that team that week. "We will get some structures in place here, some language and some learning with the wider group, then we will arrive back in Dublin on Sunday with everyone and prepare for Argentina.' Dalziel also provided a positive update on Connacht and Ireland winger Mack Hansen, who has been sidelined with an ankle injury, but who could come into contention for Friday week's opening Lions warm-up against the Pumas. Meanwhile, Lions head coach Andy Farrell admits it was an emotional phone call to Finlay Bealham to inform the Connacht tighthead that he was being called into the squad for the Australia tour following Zander Ferguson's withdrawal through injury. 'He was certainly right up there in the conversation from the very start as well, and he would have been disappointed not to make the group," said Farrell. 'So we just know he will be a great fit for the group going forward. He is the only conversation that I was able to have because of the way we did the squad announcement. 'By giving him a phone call and telling him he was selected within the squad, unfortunately for Zander, but it was one of the best phone conversations I have ever had. The emotion that went through the phone actually welled me up. It was great to be able to do that.'
Irish Times
4 hours ago
- Irish Times
Louth have already secured a glorious feat in 2025, now they're out to avoid unwanted piece of history
Eight games across four groups this weekend and no such thing as a dead rubber. The conclusion to the All-Ireland senior football championship round-robin series also has two teams facing the prospect of leaving an unwanted mark on football history. Leinster champions Louth and Connacht champions Galway are both playing for their survival. If one or both fail to progress, they would be the only provincial champions not to do so in the three years of the format. That very format may be consigned to the dustbin of history after this year, but neither Louth nor Galway had ever envisaged leaving behind such a legacy. Louth at least know exactly what is required for them to progress from Group 3 when they play Clare on Sunday (O'Moore Park, 2pm). Both teams lost to Monaghan and Down, but Louth's superior scoring difference means a draw would still see them through to the preliminary quarter-finals. READ MORE Galway's fate in Group 4 is partly out of their hands when they play Armagh on Saturday evening (Breffni Park, 6.30pm). Even if the Tribesmen win, they'll need Dublin to lose to Derry. Louth can point to the excuse of the hangover that accompanied the end of their provincial title famine . They were out against Monaghan in the first round of the All-Ireland series 13 days after winning their first Leinster football title in 68 years. [ All-Ireland group stage permutations Opens in new window ] When it came to playing Monaghan, Louth were clearly a little off the pace. They were always chasing the game and never got their noses in front. In the end, they were soundly beaten by six points. Ger Brennan didn't deny that lingering hangover afterwards. The Louth manager rated his team's performance against Monaghan at four out of ten, adding 'that is maybe down to the effects of winning the Leinster final and also to Monaghan, too'. Whether they win or lose at the weekend, they're always going to be legends — Ger Brennan A week later against Down, Louth were 10 points down early in the second half, before Sam Mulroy inspired what might have been a spectacular comeback. Mulroy finished with a dozen points, including four two-pointers. Tommy Durnin looked to be lining up a last-gasp equaliser just after the hooter when Adam Crimmins made a brilliant block for Down. Now it's win, draw or bust in Portlaoise. Clare are coming in off heavy defeats against Kerry in the Munster final and Down in the first round. However, they surprised many with their spirited performance against Monaghan when they led at half-time, 0-14 to 0-7. The Banner men eventually surrendered to Monaghan's wind-aided second-half display, losing 1-25 to 1-16. Tommy Durnin of Louth came close to rescuing a draw against Down. Photograph: Ryan Byrne/Inpho 'Looking at their performance against Down, they would have been disappointed with how they started,' said Louth manager Brennan, who spoke to local media earlier this week. 'Particularly in their own patch, they seemed to perform a lot better the last day against Monaghan, albeit Monaghan pulled away in the second half. 'And they will certainly fancy themselves against Louth this weekend. Three seasons ago, they beat a Louth team in the early rounds of Division 3, although Louth mobilised quite well and finished on eight points and won promotion themselves. So, they're an excellent team . . . but I suppose we're trying to think of our own group and trying to look at a bigger picture.' With Mulroy still shooting the lights out, Louth should have enough firepower to get past Clare on Sunday, or certainly draw. For Brennan, however, it won't define their 2025 season, which will go down in history. 'What this group of players have done for Louth GAA has been phenomenal,' says Brennan. 'Whether we win or lose at the weekend, that will never change. 'The joy and the happiness that they've brought to people's lives; that ending of a 68-year famine . . . these fellas, whether they win or lose at the weekend, they're always going to be legends. For me, there's no pressure on them. 'For me, they're just a wonderful group of lads and they should have no fear of the outcome at the weekend. [They can] go out and have fun and express themselves because they have brought so much pride and given so much joy to the people of Louth.'
Irish Examiner
4 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
British & Irish Lions calm fears over Tadhg Furlong's fitness for Australia tour
The British & Irish Lions have insisted they have no fitness concerns over the veteran tighthead prop Tadhg Furlong and have revealed he and other Premiership and URC finalists will be considered for their opening match against Argentina in Dublin next Friday. Furlong, who has started the last nine Lions Tests, has not played for his province since early May due to a calf injury, prompting fears over his availability for the Australia tour. Zander Fagerson withdrew from the squad on Monday, leaving options at tighthead severely limited. Ireland's Finlay Bealham has been called up to replace Fagerson and with Bath's Will Stuart preparing for the Premiership final against Leicester on Saturday, Sale's 20-year-old Asher Opoku-Fordjour has been called up to the Lions' Portugal training camp. He and Jamie George – another called up for the week in the Algarve – are among 24 players at Andy Farrell's disposal with Bath, Leicester, Leinster and Toulouse players focused on club commitments. The Lions forwards coach, John Dalziel, delivered positive news on Duhan van der Merwe, Huw Jones and Mack Hansen, who have been injured recently, and was quick to allay fears over Furlong. Farrell was expected to select the team to face Argentina from the 24 in Portugal, but Dalziel was adamant that club finalists will be considered. 'Tadhg has the availability to be able to train and play this week with Leinster,' he said. 'There are no real concerns in terms of his ability to come back to full training. Tadhg had returned to play and was playing. He's now being modified in terms of [being] off-feet in the last few weeks. We've got no real concerns [around] when he comes back to full training and playing. 'We will put our best team and our best foot forward for Argentina, with everybody available the squad will be together on Sunday, everybody in after the finals, then we will select and prepare that team that week. We will get some structures in place here, some language and some learning with the wider group, then we will arrive back in Dublin on Sunday with everyone and prepare for Argentina.' Dalziel also revealed that Fagerson, who toured South Africa with the Lions in 2021, may return to the squad when fit. 'He'll become available at the right time and when he's ready should we need him again. His injury isn't long term. I think it's three or four weeks. It's a setback. He's looking to try and get through that. As soon as he gets the tick off, he'll be available to come back into the squad should needs must.' The Lions arrived in Portugal on Tuesday after convening in Dublin the day before and after a high-octane gym session at the Campus resort on Wednesday, Farrell will run the rule over his players with two training sessions on Thursday and Friday. During their free time, players have been kept entertained by the golf courses and padel courts while Henry Pollock is now in official possession of BiL, the Lions' mascot, traditionally the responsibility of the youngest member of the squad. He was presented with the toy lion by Maro Itoje, this year's captain, who had the honour in 2017. 'The connection piece in modern sport is so important,' said Dalziel. 'Just the way the lads have integrated with the coaches, it's been so pleasing. Everyone has their own personality, but it's excellent to see guys you've previewed, and have been a thorn in your side, you can use them now.' Meanwhile, Australia's star turn Joseph Suaalii has declared himself fit for the series after recovering from a broken jaw. The 21-year-old signing from rugby league – who starred on his debut against England at Twickenham last November – was injured last month. 'My face was really big for a bit, I was wearing a face mask everywhere,' he said. 'It's such an important time for myself and Australian rugby and I want to be playing, so obviously I was a little bit of nerves but … I had surgery maybe three weeks ago now and looking good going into the Lions.' England have called Henry Arundell into camp this week as they prepare for a clash with a France XV at Twickenham on Saturday week before a tour of Argentina and the US. Arundell, who joins Bath next season, has endured a torrid season with Racing 92 but, given his impending move back to the Premiership, Borthwick has called up the 22-year-old speedster for the first time in 20 months. Guardian
