Injury woes for Leinster ahead of Heineken Cup opener

Leinster coach Matt O’Connor was dealt another few injury blows ahead of the start of their Heineken Cup pool campaign at Ospreys on Saturday.

South African, Richardt Strauss will miss the rest of the year and possibly the rest of the season with a heart condition that will require surgery this week after extensive medical tests were carried out on the Irish international.

Management are confident the 27-year-old will make a full recovery and return to the fold in the not so distant future.

O’Connor said, “He’s in a really good place and a good frame of mind – It’s disappointing for us in the short term but his health is more important.”

“He will have a procedure this week hopefully and it’s a minor procedure if there is such a thing with a heart condition but he’s confident as are the specialists that he will make a full recovery, its just working out the time frame – Its less of an issue for is in relation to getting him back in a fit state.”

Lote Tuqiri suffered a recurrence of the hamstring strain which has curtailed him in recent weeks and he is set for a further spell on the sidelines. It is hoped that he will be available for the Round 2 game against Castres in the RDS.

“It’s very disappointing for him, I thought he did well against Munster, he had a few nice touches and of course the run before he pulled his hamstring – He will be out for a couple of weeks but the rest of the boys are looking pretty good.” Said O’Connor

With Lote, who was playing at centre in place of Brian O’Driscoll out of the equation for now, Matt O’Connor may find himself sweating a little more as the fitness of O’Driscoll is still in doubt.

“It’s too early to say but if he can train with the squad on Thursday he will most likely play if he can’t we will just make sure he is ready for Castres.”

Better news for the province is the arrival of Springbok international Zane Kirchner who has finally linked up with the province following a series of impressive displays in The Rugby Championship. Kirchner, who featured against the All Blacks in Ellis Park on Saturday, will train with his new team-mates this week and could come into the frame.

Luke Fitzgerald successfully came through his comeback match in Limerick alongside Sean O'Brien who featured for the province for the first time this season following arm surgery. Dominic Ryan also brought up the 50 cap landmark after appearing as a second half replacement in Thomond Park.