Leinster receive big injury boost while Dempsey makes plans for Glasgow tester
LEINSTER were forced to cancel yesterday’s planned training session as a result of ex-Hurricane Ophelia but there was some good news at UCD as coach Girvan Dempsey was optimistic about the chances of Sean O’Brien and Johnny Sexton returning to the team for Saturday’s Champions Cup clash with Glasgow.
Scans on the ankle injury that forced Isa Nacewa off during the first half of last week’s win over Montpellier came back clear, while Sexton is recovering well from his dead leg, and O’Brien’s calf injury is clearing up.
The province were scheduled to train at their base yesterday afternoon, but opted for an indoor walk-through instead in light of the weather conditions.
Dempsey said they hoped to have the injured trio available to train today ahead of the Pool 3 showdown.
“Isa just rolled his ankle. Thankfully, the scan came back and he was fine, a little fluid. Fine,” Dempsey said.
“Sean O’Brien, we’ll see how he goes through the week but we hope that he will be available for selection and the two dead legs, Johnny has progressed a lot quicker than Rory (O’Loughlin) is just a bit slower.
Scott Fardy will be available after the birth of his son on Saturday, while Dan Leavy is also back for the Scotstoun fixture. • WALES have changed their overseas selection policy, deciding to remodel it based on the current Australian system.
The new change allows head coach Warren Gatland to select any number of overseas players provided they have 60 international caps.
This mean players such as Taulupe Faletau, Luke Charteris and George North are all eligible for squad selection.
However, British and Irish Lions scrum-half Rhys Webb, who only has 28 caps, will become ineligible having signed a threeyear deal with Toulon.