Kearney primed to make his Leinster return
ROB KEARNEY is poised to return to action this week after several months of injury frustration which has kept him out since Ireland’s Six Nations clash against Wales in March.
The 31-year old underwent surgery for a bicep injury at the start of April and was therefore unavailable for either the Lions tour of New Zealand or Ireland’s summer games in the United States and Japan.
Kearney has not played for Leinster since last January but coach Leo Cullen is confident he is close to a return and could feature in next Friday’s clash against Gloucester at St Mary’s RFC Templeville Road.
‘We will make a few calls during the week. There are a few players very close to returning and Rob is one of those, we will see how he and a few others come through the week,’ said Cullen, speaking after their 42-32 loss away to Perpignan on Friday evening.
Kearney last appearance for Leinster came in their 24-24 draw away to Castres on January 20 and he made just nine appearances for during the 201617 season because of his injury problem.
His return to action is timely given that Cullen will have to plan without his primary centres Robbie Henshaw and Garry Ringrose for the start of the new campaign.
Kearney returned to preseason training when the first group of players began their preparations on June 19 and Cullen will be keen to see him make a comeback next week.
His youthful side were caught late on Friday night at Stade Aime Giral but he was pleased with the workout against a Perpignan side who start their ProD2 campaign next weekend.
‘Pre-season has gone well. Guys have come back at different stages,’ Cullen explained.
‘The first group back were June 19 and a lot of those guys played in that game against Perpignan, and it’s a great experience for those guys coming over here.
‘For many of them it was their first experience of coming to France and playing against a decent French team, so all in all it was a really pleasing hit out,’ added Cullen.