McLaughlin focused on Leinster after RWC axe

KEVIN McLAUGHLIN admits it was difficult to put his World Cup rejection behind him but insists he is focused on the job at hand here at home with Leinster.

The twice capped lock-cum-back row made the second of those appearances in the first of the Guinness Series warm-ups against Scotland off the bench and played 80 minutes against Connacht but lost out when the final 30 was named.

“It was (difficult) when the lads were flying out,” he admitted yesterday. “I found it a bit tough but I’ve got a big job to do here and that’s my focus.”

The extent of that job was made clear on Friday when a disjointed Leinster lost 27-3 to the Ospreys at Liberty Stadium and McLaughlin admitted they let themselves down, even if they were minus 15 internationals.

Leinster’s problems grew when Luke Fitzgerald (knee) and Jamie Hagan (eye) left the field injured. Both should be available for this Friday’s home clash with Dragons. So should Waikato tight-head prop Nathan White who arrives in Dublin this week.

Meanwhile, Munster are reporting a near clean bill of health from their opening RaboDirect Pro12 League 20-12 victory over the Dragons. Hooker Mike Sherry picked up a slight shoulder injury and a decision on his participation in the next game against Glasgow will be made later in the week. BJ Botha is back training while Darragh Hurley is expected to resume training next week.

Botha’s progress will be monitored this week before a decision is made on whether or not he’ll be included in the squad for Glasgow and the same situation applies with Ian Nagle, who picked up a shoulder knock against London Irish.

Tomás O’Leary is continuing to rehab his lower back injury in the gym while Felix Jones is due to visit a London-based specialist later in the week to have his foot injury assesses further.