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united-rugby-championship
Leinster head coach Leo Cullen has provided a mixed injury update ahead of Saturday’s URC Round 5 meeting with Zebre Parma at the Aviva Stadium.
Cullen will have to contend with four injuries arising from the loss 31-15 loss to Munster at Croke Park, as well as two injury concerns that arose just hours prior to kick-off.
He confirmed that all Leinster players named in last week’s Ireland squad will link up with Andy Farrell’s group as planned.
Arguably the standout injury concern centres on giant Springbok RG Snyman.
The 30-year-old was forced off just after half-time with a hip injury and Leinster say he will undergo further assessment throughout the week before a decision is made on his availability.
Snyman has enjoyed a relatively injury-free stint at Leinster since moving from Munster after an injury-plagued tenure in the southern province.
Aside from Leinster, Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus will be watching on with no little interest with the Quilter Nations Series just around the corner.
Leinster also reported that Paddy McCarthy and Jordan Larmour have both entered the Graduated Return to Play Protocols, while Robbie Henshaw continues to be monitored after picking up a minor groin issue.
Meanwhile, Tommy O’Brien (back) and Jack Conan (knee) were both late withdrawals from the starting XV at the weekend and will also be further assessed as the week progresses.
They will both travel with Ireland to Chicago.
Andy Farrell’s side will fly out on Tuesday ahead of Saturday’s Gallagher Cup clash with New Zealand at Soldier Field – a fixture marking the first meeting between the sides in the United States since Ireland’s historic 2016 win.
While Bundee Aki and Henshaw will travel despite their respective hip and groin issues, Connacht wing Mack Hansen’s absence removes one of Ireland’s most reliable attacking outlets.
The recall of Tom Farrell, who last featured in a national squad five years ago, and the inclusion of Jimmy O’Brien adds much-needed versatility to the backline.
Munster’s travelling contingent has been thinned further by injuries to young forwards Edwin Edogdo and Brian Gleeson, both of whom had been earmarked for developmental roles on the tour.
