Mixed news for Ireland as Leinster count toll of Munster win

There was mixed news on the injury front for Ireland and Leinster on Monday afternoon, with a medical update on several of the provinces’ Test stars issued.

In good news, Ireland centre Robbie Henshaw is once again available for selection after he ‘returned to training last week after a minor injury’. 

However, there’s less good news for a number of other Ireland players. The side confirmed that Ronan Kelleher “had a procedure on an ankle injury last week and will be unavailable for between four to six weeks.” 

This means, as was reported over the weekend, that he will not be available for Ireland Autumn Nations Series matches.

There’s also bad news for Ireland No.8 Jack Conan, who left the field at Croke Park after just 19 minutes of action against Munster on Saturday evening. Conan “will be unavailable for selection this week after being withdrawn in the first half against Munster with a hamstring injury.”

This casts doubt on whether he will be available for some or all of Ireland’s November Tests, although the severity of the injury was not specified.

Fellow Ireland back-row Ryan Baird suffered a concussion and was removed after playing just two minutes against Munster off the pine. He will go through return-to-play protocols.

Second-row Joe McCarthy, who didn’t feature against Munster, will “not be available for selection this week after picking up a hamstring injury in the Benetton Rugby game.”

As with Conan, it’s not clear how severe the lock’s hamstring issue is and if it will effect his selection by Andy Farrell for next month’s international series.

Lee Barron went off at half-time with an ankle injury and will be further assessed this week before a final decision is made on his availability. Jordan Larmour was unavailable for selection as a precaution and will also be assessed this week before a final decision is made, Leinster have said.

There were no further updates on injuries to Dan Sheehan, John McKee, Paddy McCarthy, Jimmy O’Brien and Tommy O’Brien.