Leinster to face Scarlets without Fitzgerald and Conway

Leinster will be without backline duo Luke Fitzgerald and Andrew Conway when they take on the Scarlets at the RDS in the RaboDirect PRO12 on Friday (7.35pm).

Due to their absence through injury being longer than first anticipated, the Leinster management have decided that both Conway and Fitzgerald will complete a 10-day conditioning programme in preparation for involvement in the away fixture against Glasgow on February 25.

There were no fresh injury concerns arising from last Thursday night’s 42-8 victory over Benetton Treviso, in a match which marked Clontarf FC’s Colm O’Shea’s debut, though Damian Browne (shoulder) will be assessed after sustaining a minor knock towards the end of the game.

It is hoped that the Galway man will be available for selection for Thursday’s team announcement.

Fionn Carr sustained a minor cut to his eye which required stitches during the second half, but the Newbridge man returned to the fray to touch down in the closing minutes and he will be available.

Dominic Ryan is also expected to be in contention while the province could be in a position to further welcome back several players who were involved in Ireland’s 6 Nations squad in recent weeks.

Isa Nacewa’s 20-point haul took him to 338 career points in 92 league and cup appearances.

Ian Madigan passed the half century points mark for the province with his seventh try in 15 games to date this season (56 points) while Heinke van der Merwe’s next appearance will be his 50th for the province.