Still no time frame for He a slip’ s return to fray
NO news on Jamie Heaslip’s back injury from Leinster HQ but good news according to their assistant coach Girvan Dempsey, who stresses that the ailment has been accurately identified and that there may be some light at the end of the tunnel for the troubled No 8.
For all that, there is no exact timeframe with regards to a possible comeback, either to full training or potential match-day fitness, merely confidence that the improvement graph is upwards, rather than stubbornly unmoved.
Worryingly, however, there was no clarification possible on whether, as head coach Leo Cullen claimed last month, the player may need a second operation. Clear as mud, then.
“I wish I could give you some update, in terms of time frame,” says Dempsey. “Unfortunately, I can’t.
“He is just continuing through the rehab programme and continual assessment. The only thing I can say to you is he has made progress. Unfortunately, we don’t have an end date.
“It is slow. It is frustrating. He’s frustrated. We’re frustrated.”
However, despite any concrete evidence, Leinster remain confident that there should not be any undue concern that, following the first major injury of his career, to such a sensitive region, Heaslip cannot return to his best.
“Not from my point of view. Jamie is unbelievable, in terms of his robustness and his ability to stay injury-free.
“That’s why this has annoyed him and frustrated him. In terms of his professionalism with his rehab, he has been excellent. He has made progress and he has improved. We’re hopeful he can continue to do that.”
Heaslip has continued to visit consultants and, with the problem being clearly identified now as a lower back issue, the treatment is being conducted entirely within Leinster.
“Specifically, they have identified it and they feel that are on top of it now and can get to the bottom of it and move on.”
Whether or not Heaslip needs a second operation remains unclear, for now; Dempsey does concede that if the player does return, he would have to impress speedily in order to come into contention for the Six Nations.
“I would imagine pretty quickly. He’s kept himself in very good shape. He’s very professional in how he managed himself.
“I think he’ll adapt but like anyone he’ll need to get match-time under his belt before the national coach will consider you. I’d imagine with his experience and pedigree it’ll happen pretty quickly.”
Still, there is enough the supporters don’t know about Heaslip’s health to arouse ongoing concern, compared to what they do know.
As Leinster’s 18 internationals trained with their country yesterday, for example, there was no exact clarification on what work Heaslip himself was undertaking.
“I’m not 100pc so I’m not going to try and bluff you on it,” said Dempsey. “It’s all with the physio and rehab guys.”
They have plenty to occupy them this week, including monitoring the health and well-being of James Ryan and Noel Reid, the latest in the growing raft of players undergoing return-to-play protocols after receiving head injuries in Saturday’s Ulster win.
The only Irish players considered this week are likely to be those not expected to start against South Africa on Saturday week.
PROMOTION
Jordan Larmour could be bound for promotion given his try-scoring exploits against Ulster, reminding one of Garry Ringrose’s try against Munster a couple of seasons back which announced his talent to the wider public.
“Competition is healthy, that’s what you’re looking for across the board, in all positions. They’re both quality players.
“Jordan handled it extremely well. He’d been doing a lot of work in the back three during the week, got a few reps in midfield as he was aware he was covering that as well. With ball in hand, he is exceptional, he’s lightning on his feet, and his confidence is in a really good place. It’s good when all players feel they’re under a bit of pressure.
“He’s played a bit out of position for us, so we’re trying to adapt around him as well. He’s got massive X-factor, but it’s about learning in terms of positional play in the back three, defensive understanding, attacking under a bit more pressure in the centre channel.
“It’s trying to grow him, challenge him and put him in positions where he’s got to make decisions.
“He’ll make mistakes like all players but it’s about him learning from them so next time it happens, he’s got more confidence and he’s in a better position.
“There’s always a massive expectation on a player who is high profile. You saw at the weekend he’s definitely in the right mode.