HUGO KEENAN TO MISS OUT ON LEINSTER’S SOUTH AFRICAN TOUR

Hugo Keenan will miss Leinster’s two-week South African tour to the Lions and Stormers as he manages the hip injury which flared up last weekend and prompted his late withdrawal from his side’s Champions Cup quarter-final win against La Rochelle.

The province will now set their sights on ensuring his full fitness for the May date with Northampton Saints in the Croke Park semi-final.

Leo Cullen has not yet announced his touring squad but he is likely to take the opportunity to rest front-liners, and give game-time to squad members, as the province gear up for a decisive late season title hunt on two fronts.

They may opt to replicate last year’s experience, when Cullen supervised an opening win against the Lions before returning to Dublin to plot a semi-final success against Toulouse.

However, there was less pressure on Leinster’s league position last season when they ventured south – the Bulls and Glasgow are vying with them for home play-off berths so at least one win on the road may be needed.

Luke McGrath came through the game at the weekend with no issues after his return from the Graduated Return to Play Protocols.

Decisions need to be made on the availability of Jimmy O’Brien (neck), Charles Ngatai (calf), Garry Ringrose (shoulder) and Ross Byrne (leg) but given the demands of travel, it would appear prudent not to risk them.

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2024-04-15T13:40:21Z dg43tfdfdgfd