Easterby expects most of Leinster’s Irish contingent to be rested
Leinster team manager Guy Easterby doesn’t anticipate any of the regular starters from the recent Irish international squad to take a full part in this weekend’s Rabo Direct Pro 12 game at home to Scarlets.
The former Irish international has confirmed, without mentioning any names in particular, that members of the squad have been given a few days off to recover.
Those who did turn up to training in UCD this afternoon were, Gordon D’Arcy, Ian Madigan, Sean Cronin, Mike Ross and Isaac Boss.
This afternoon also saw a full return to training for Leo Cullen, who hasn’t played this season because of an Achilles injury.
Speaking before training, Easterby said: “A couple of people showed their heads today, just because they hadn’t been seen in a while but obviously most of them have a few days off and we don’t expect to see them again until the end of the week.”
“There will certainly be some involvement, we’re not sure how many yet, but we will have some of those who played at the weekend playing on Saturday,” he added.
On the same day the Irish international team had a history making victory snatched from them by the All Blacks in injury time, the rest of the Leinster squad were playing against Treviso, only winning by a single point thanks to the boot of Jimmy Gopperth.
Easterby has rubbished talk, that there was an air of rustiness from the Leinster squad: “We had a break of three weeks and we had given players down time. Then they had a tough S&C (strength and conditioning) week, then into the week of the Treviso game.”
“The squad are in good shape, players held up really well and it was great to see Jordi Murphy back so overall it was a really positive performance.”
“Going to Italy anytime is difficult, never mind being without 16 of your top players. So we have to give credit to those who went there and they have put pressure on in terms of future selection.” Easterby added.
In some bad news for the province Fergus McFadden is to miss out on the next round of Heineken Cup games.
He fractured a bone in his hand in the Irish defeat to Australia and management have decided that he will be given as much time as possible to recover.
The Leinster team manager insisted McFadden won’t be rushed: “He’s back in with a specialist tomorrow, it looks like a six week injury, but we have seen players come back from similar injuries in less time so we will wait and see.”
“Best case scenario, you’re pushing the first Northampton game, maybe hopeful for the Aviva return leg. But, we will not play him ahead of time, so it will be based on the medics, what their opinions are and how much it’s healed.”
