Leinster await injury updates ahead of URC Semi-Final

Leinster Rugby is monitoring the fitness of several key players as they prepare to face Glasgow Warriors in the United Rugby Championship semi-final this Saturday at the Aviva Stadium.

Among the main concerns is flanker Josh van der Flier, who was forced off with a hamstring issue during the quarter-final win over Scarlets.

“We hope for clearance. He went for a scan on Sunday but I don't think they've come back yet. That's quite weird, for a first-world country, so we are still waiting,” said senior coach Jacques Nienaber.

He added, “Obviously, I am fingers crossed, toes crossed, that he can make the semi-final. It would be nice.”

Garry Ringrose is also under observation after missing the quarter-final due to a calf injury. He has resumed running and is progressing through return-to-play protocols.

“He did some running last week so his race against time is going through the return-to-play protocols—running, change direction, acceleration, deceleration.

"If he can tick all the boxes and doesn't have symptoms after being loaded, then he is available for selection,” said Nienaber.

Tommy O'Brien is being assessed for a foot problem, while Jordan Larmour has returned to full training and is expected to be available.

However, Tadhg Furlong has been ruled out due to a lingering calf injury, limiting him to just eight appearances for club and country this season.

Reflecting on the Scarlets game, head coach Leo Cullen acknowledged areas that needed tightening up in knockout rugby.

“It's a big moment before half-time because we are on their line. If you look at it, there are multiple Scarlets players that are offside, but we play and we don't execute, so there's stuff in our control,” he explained.

“And then they go the length of the field. In a perfect world it gets refereed and you have a penalty there. We're eight points clear at that stage, so we'd go into half-time 11 points up. Instead, it's one point and you're like, 'ugh'.

“You have to deal with stuff that's there. Some of it is out of your control. You're seeing lots of games coming down to some moments. We have to do our bit well and just find a way sometimes because it can be unorthodox.”