Kearney and D'Arcy doubts for Munster clash

Experienced Leinster duo Rob Kearney and Gordon D’Arcy are major doubts for the province’s RaboDirect PRO12 derby match against Munster in the Aviva on Saturday (6.30pm).

Both players started in the 34-6 defeat to Connacht at the Sportsground on Friday but a rib injury saw D’Arcy make way after just ten minutes while Kearney was taken off with a back injury before halftime.

Summer signing Quinn Roux was also forced off early on with a shoulder injury and the South African lock is considered a doubt for Saturday’s interprovincial meeting .

Meanwhile, Shane Jennings is expected to shake off the ill effects of an ankle injury which he sustained on the hour mark in Connacht, though it is likely to curtail his on-field involvement in training this week.

The Leinster management are hopeful that club captain Leo Cullen (arm) will also return to the panel either this week or next, while Isaac Boss (arm) is getting closer to a return to action.

The European champions are expected to be boosted by the return of the likes of Jamie Heaslip, Kevin McLaughlin, Brian O’Driscoll, Eoin Reddan, Jonathan Sexton and Richardt Strauss to the panel this week.

There are two significant imminent landmarks for the province with Cian Healy, who turns 25 on Sunday, in line to make his 100th provincial appearance, while Naas number eight Heaslip’s next appearance will be his 150th.