Cup injury blows for Munster and Leinster

MUNSTER and Leinster hopes of advancing to the Heineken Cup semi-finals suffered major blows in the Stadio Flaminio on Saturday.

Ireland and Leinster captain Brian O’Driscoll tore his hamstring midway through the second half and is almost certainly ruled out for the remainder of the season.

Coach Eddie O’Sullivan said the damage as “serious” and that the centre is unlikely to play until the World Cup warm up matches against Scotland and Italy in August. Ireland are to tour Argentina in May and June, but O’Sullivan has made it clear he won’t ask leading players to participate.