BEN TE’O AND Fergus McFadden have recovered from injury to swell Leinster’s backline options ahead of Saturday’s Pro12 clash against Ulster at the RDS.
With head coach Matt O’Connor also set to call on his returning international players – who sat out last weekend’s defeat to Munster at Thomond Park due to IRFU player management protocols – Leinster are counting on a notable personnel boost.
Richie Murphy, kicking and skills coach at the eastern province, said Leinster “owe our supporters a better show than we put on last week,” and the easing of injury issues over the coming weeks should help.
Ireland wing McFadden has recovered from a thumb injury, while Te’o returns to the mix after fracturing his forearm on his Leinster debut in October. Meanwhile, prop Marty Moore is set to take full contact in training this week as his recuperation from shoulder surgery steps up.
Sean O’Brien and Cian Healy continue their own graded recovery towards full training, and should also be back on the pitch in the New Year.
“Marty Moore is moving closer to his return to play,” said Murphy in UCD this afternoon, “and the likes of Sean O’Brien and Cian Healy are both rehabbing and improving every day.”
Dominic Ryan was replaced in the first half against Munster having suffered concussion and will follow the usual return-to-play protocols before being assessed again later this week. Leinster have not ruled the flanker out of the Ulster game at this stage.
O’Connor’s squad suffered no further injuries in the derby defeat to Munster, a relief in a season that has seen Leinster greatly affected by them.
The return of Te’o in midfield provides reason for optimism in terms of Leinster winning the gainline more often, even if the former rugby league star does not make the starting XV against Ulster.
“He was due to come back around now and he’s been seeing a specialist,” said Murphy of Te’o's progress. “The specialist has passed him fit to play. He’s done his return-to-play stuff in relation to our physios, so they feel he’s in a position to be available for selection.
“He’s been trying to find his feet. Obviously it was a very difficult sort of situation coming in late and then picking up an injury in his first senior game, it was a bit of a nightmare for him and us.
“He will be a quality player and the more we can get him on the pitch, the better.”
Originally published at 14.51
