Scott Penny welcomes return of household names to Leinster fold

Marked absent since being withdrawn with a knee issue just 34 minutes into the province’s European Champions Cup pool stage bout against Bayonne on January 17, Ireland international Robbie Henshaw has returned to training.

Thu, 26 Feb, 2026 - 07:12

Daire Walsh

Scott Penny has welcomed the return of some experienced faces from injury lay-offs as Leinster resume their United Rugby Championship campaign with a trip to Cardiff tomorrow evening (Cardiff Arms Park, kick-off 7pm).

That was also Jimmy O’Brien’s last appearance in a Leinster jersey, but he has now overcome a hamstring problem and is expected to feature in tomorrow’s round 12 clash in the URC.

Veteran prop Rabah Slimani is also back in the mix after being sidelined with a calf injury and with so many of the senior squad still part of the Ireland camp during a fallow week in the Six Nations, Penny acknowledged the presence of household names around the building has been vital in recent days.

“I think it’s great to have that experience back. They’re such big names in the building, they’ve been through it all. They’ve so much experience under their belt. Weeks like these where we don’t have our full complement of players, I think the young lads can really look to these lads for leadership on the pitch,” Penny remarked.

“They’ve played over in Cardiff, they know how hostile it is over there. It’s a tough place to go. We lost there I think it was four years ago. Joe McCarthy’s first cap, I remember it well. We lost the last kick of the game. I think it’s going to be really important having those lads back this week and showing what they’re all about.”

Despite all the issues surrounding Welsh rugby at the moment, seven wins from 11 games has Cardiff occupying fifth spot in the URC table – just three places and four points adrift of Leinster.

Five victories from six home outings has helped to elevate them to this position in the standings, while successes in Cardiff Arms Park against Ulster and Racing 92 has played a significant part in Corniel van Zyl’s side making it to the knockout rounds of the EPCR Challenge Cup.

“I don’t think Cardiff are reflecting the Welsh international team at all. They’re a really good side. They’re really well-coached, great attack, really physical. We know what they’re all about and they’ve been like this over the last few years,” Penny continued of their upcoming opponents.

“Cardiff are always one of the best if not the best Welsh clubs. They’re a very, very good side. They’re fifth in the league at the moment and they’re one win away from us. It’s so tight in the table at the moment, every win is so important. We can’t let this one slip, we’ve got to really show up on Friday night.”

Although he is now just a couple of games shy of becoming a provincial centurion, Penny has largely found himself behind Josh van der Flier in the pecking order at openside flanker when it comes to some of the biggest fixtures Leinster play in a given season.

Yet even though another specialist in the number seven role – Will Connors – will be leaving the Blues to join Connacht at the end of the current season, Penny is more than happy to remain with Leinster for the foreseeable future.

“I’m loving my time in Leinster. It’s such a great bunch of lads. Obviously we’ve so many internationals, it’s great to keep learning and keep testing yourself against the best players in the world. I’m really loving my time here,” Penny added.