LEINSTER BOOST AS LEAVY NEARS RETURN

DAN LEAVY says he is nearing a return to action after having his summer tour cut short by injury in June, WRITES RÚAIDHRÍ O’CONNOR.

After a frustrating end to a superb 2017/’18 campaign, the Ireland openside hopes to play for Leinster in the opening weeks of the season in what will be a big boost to Leo Cullen’s defending Guinness PRO14 champions.

Leavy was a leading light in Leinster’s double-winning campaign and Ireland’s Grand Slam, but he was forced to watch on from the sidelines for most of the national team’s

2-1 series win over Australia and underwent shoulder surgery during the summer.

He will miss tomorrow’s seasonopener away in Cardiff, but hopes to return to full training in time for next week’s trip to Llanelli for a rematch of last year’s final against Scarlets.

“Soon, I hope to be back in full training for next week,” he said at the launch of Family SportFest.

“It (Australia) was pretty disappointing. I was really looking forward to the challenge of playing against Hooper and Pocock, two of the best in the world in the same position as myself.

“It was a really long, abrasive season. It took its toll on my body.

“I thought in the half I played (in the second Test), I did quite well, held my own. I was happy with that.”