Luke Fitzgerald set for a return against Harlequins in Champions Cup

Leinster play against Harlequins on Sunday week in the Champions Cup

Luke Fitzgerald will not feature against the Ospreys. Photograph: James Crombie/Inpho
Luke Fitzgerald will not feature against the Ospreys. Photograph: James Crombie/Inpho

Leinster look set to suffer from more than just the hangover of their disappointing draw with Treviso last weekend, but the province have carried three injuries from the game, all of whom are now likely to miss this weekend's visit of the Ospreys.

Leinster struggled to a 24-24 draw with Treviso in Italy, fortunate to avoid defeat, and Matt O'Connor's team may now have to plan ahead without Kevin McLaughlin, Richardt Strauss and Luke Fitzgerald having all picked up knocks during that encounter.

Kevin McLaughlin, who captained the side, was removed from the field of play with suspected concussion during the game. Leinster Rugby have confirmed that he is currently following the return to play protocols and will not be involved this weekend.

Later decision

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Richardt Strauss is another who is unlikely to face the the top-of -the-table Welsh side on Saturday. He felt his hamstring tighten in the first half of the Treviso game and “is being assessed by the medical team at Leinster Rugby. A final decision on Richardt’s inclusion will be made later in the week.”

A major concern had circled Luke Fitzgerald, named at centre for last weekend’s game, he pulled up pre-match and did not feature, adding weight to his ongoing injury problems.

Return date

Leinster have announced though that “Luke Fitzgerald trained well all last week and it was only in the final moments of the warm-up against Treviso that he felt a tightness in his groin.

"It was not worth the risk on the day and Luke will be undergoing rehab this week with a view to returning next Monday ahead of the Champions Cup game against Harlequins."

Leinster face Harlequins on Sunday week with both teams currently equal on points at the top of their group table.

The Leinster team to face Ospreys will be announced on Friday.

Eamon Donoghue

Eamon Donoghue

Eamon Donoghue is a former Irish Times journalist