Leinster will have to do without one of their most experienced backs for the opening game of the returning PRO 14.
The Leinster Rugby Head Coach Leo Cullen has issued an injury update ahead of Saturday’s eagerly-anticipated Guinness PRO14 game against Munster Rugby at the Aviva Stadium. That game will kick-off at 7.35pm.
Leinster are looking to keep their perfect record in the competition intact for the season, before the first of two behind closed doors inter-provincial clashes.
The update is not positive for a number of players with both Fergus McFadden and Conor O’Brien ruled out of contention.
McFadden picked up a calf injury and will be unavailable for up to six weeks. Should the recovery require the full six weeks, McFadden may have appeared in a Leinster jersey for the last time, as the utility back has announced he will retire when the season concludes.
The injury will most likely rule him out of the remainder of the PRO 14, which concludes on September 12th. Whether he features in blue again will depend on the province's progress in the Heineken European Champions Cup, with the injury likely ruling the winger out of the clash with Saracens.
Conor O’Brien meanwhile will not be seen before the season concludes. The centre had a procedure last week on a long-standing hamstring issue and is expected to be unavailable for a number of months.
There was also an update on Vakh Abdaladze’s long-standing back issue with the 24-year-old prop due to have a procedure this week to address the injury. There will be clarity on his expected return-to-play time following that procedure.
There was some positive news on the injury front with Peter Dooley expected to return to training this week after a shoulder injury, with Dan Leavy also continuing his progress and his gradual exposure to rugby training as he recovers from his knee injury.
There was no injury update on Adam Byrne on his hamstring issue or James Ryan's shoulder recovery. Both players remain unavailable for selection.
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