Positive update from Leo Cullen as several players step up injury recovery

Leinster Rugby Head Coach Leo Cullen has issued an injury update ahead of Saturday’s BKT United Rugby Championship Round 6 match against Emirates Lions at Aviva Stadium (KO: 5.15pm, live on RTÉ2 and Premier Sports 2).

Robbie Henshaw is available for selection this week after travelling to Galway at the weekend with the squad while a number of players have stepped up their recovery ahead of Saturday’s game.

Ryan Baird will be available for selection if he continues through the final stages of the Graduated Return to Play Protocols, while Ciarán Frawley will be further assessed as the week progresses after sustaining an ankle injury in the 33-12 win over Connacht.

Joe McCarthy, Jordan Larmour and John McKee will all step up their training programmes, with a final decision on the availability of each player to be made later in the week.

Lee Barron will not be available for selection this weekend as he continues to manage a minor ankle injury.

AVAILABLE FOR SELECTION:

Robbie Henshaw: has resumed full training and will be available for selection this weekend.

FURTHER ASSESSMENT REQUIRED:

Ryan Baird: is in the final stages of the Graduated Return to Play Protocols and, subject to coming through them, will be available for selection at the weekend.

Ciarán Frawley: rolled his ankle in the first half in Galway and while not serious, will be further assessed as the week progresses before a final decision is made on his availability.

Joe McCarthy: will step up his training programme this week from a hamstring injury and will be further assessed before a final decision is made on his availability.

Jordan Larmour: will step up his training programme this week and will be further assessed towards the end of the week before a final decision is made on his availability.

John McKee: will step up his rehabilitation programme this week and will be further assessed towards the end of the week before a final decision is made on his availability.

NOT AVAILABLE FOR SELECTION:

Lee Barron: won’t be available for selection this week as he manages a minor ankle injury sustained in the game against Munster.

NO FURTHER UPDATES ON:

Dan Sheehan, Paddy McCarthy, Jimmy O’Brien, Rob Russell, Jack Conan, Rónan Kelleher and Tommy O’Brien.

This week’s game is back at Aviva Stadium against the Emirates Lions, and Leinster Rugby have confirmed that a new pre-match show is being planned for the team walk-out.