Leinster duo ‘touch and go’ for Six Nations

Joe Schmidt is sweating over his Six Nations front row as Cian Healy and Mike Ross were declared doubts for the opening clash with Wales on February 7.

Ross, who started all 10 games of Ireland’s last two Six Nations campaigns, suffered a ‘high-grade’ hamstring strain in the home defeat to Toulon in late December, but is still said to be ‘weeks’ away from being match fit.

Healy, who underwent elective knee surgery last week while serving a two-week suspension for ‘reckless foul play’ in the away defeat to Toulon, is now a serious doubt for the Welsh game, according to Leinster manager Guy Easterby.

“Cian had a knee niggle and it made sense to clean it out when he was off for two weeks,” he said.

“It’s a non-invasive surgery, keyhole, in and out, but he’s touch and go for the Six Nations.

“Mike is progressing, he won’t be available next week or the week after,” he added, “it’s weeks rather than days. He will be back in or around the Six Nations, but it’s questionable [if he’ll make Wales].”

It was not all bad news at Leinster HQ after the weekend’s bruising encounter with Ospreys, where Jamie Heaslip left the field injured after just six minutes, and Luke Fitzgerald was taken off on the hour with a shoulder issue.

The No.8, who suffered a serious clash of heads with team-mate Ben Te’o, failed the pitchside Head Injury Assessment, but has begun the return to play protocols and will not be ruled out of the Six Nations, as had been feared.

He’s unlikely to be risked for this weekend’s clash with Bath at the RDS, but Fitzgerald — who suffered a ‘stinger’ in Wales, should be available.

“We are going to put out the best side we feel we can put out and play well,” said defence coach Kurt McQuilkin ahead of Saturday’s Pool 5 clash, where Leinster are hoping to avoid a record fifth straight European defeat.

“There’s no intention of putting out any second rate side. We are going to put out the best team available, the best team we think can do a job for us this weekend.

“Even though this is a dead rubber game you cherish these matches, these quality teams coming and playing in your backyard. It’s still a huge challenge and something we are looking forward to.

“We’ll get out there and give it our level best and try and put on a performance for our loyal supporters.”

Scrum-half Luke McGrath, who started in the PRO12 victory over Ospreys, echoed McQuilkin’s sentiments, insisting the players ‘owed’ the fans for their support on the continent.

The 22-year-old also has the added incentive of trying to impress Schmidt, who included him in his extended Ireland camp at Carton House last week.

“Joe said in the camp that the next few games are very important for when he is picking the squad,” he said.

“Everyone is going to have to play very well in the next few games to get picked.

“When I found out I was going, I was delighted, especially as I had been injured the last few weeks.

“I went in there and I had a chat to some of the older lads to get some experience. There was only one session. There wasn’t a lot of rugby. It was more learning all the moves and knowing that if you do get that opportunity you have to know absolutely every detail.

“If you got called in and didn’t know all the moves, you wouldn’t get picked at all. As we all know, Joe is massive on detail. You’ve got to make sure you know everything.”