Thursday 25 September 2014 16:22, UK
Leinster and Ireland front-row forward Cian Healy will be out for at least three weeks after injuring his hamstring in training.
The problem is likely to rule the 26-year-old out of Leinster’s opening European Champions Cup game with Wasps on October 19 and their trip to French side Castres a week later.
If the injury proves to be worse than initially feared, Healy may also miss Ireland’s opening Test of the autumn series against South Africa on November 8.
But Leinster coach Matt O’Connor had some positive news to report, with loosehead prop Jack McGrath expected to return from injury next week.
“Cian unfortunately strained his hamstring in training,” said O’Connor.
“There was nothing in it. He is looking at a significant lay-off and Jack is very, very minor because he just got a bang on his calf. He should be back in the mix next week.
“We just need to wait to get a little more information back from the specialist. It could be longer than that (3-4 weeks) because it was a significant tear of his hamstring so we will have to see.”
Sean O’Brien could also miss Leinster’s opening games in European competition, although O’Connor remains optimistic the flanker’s return will not be too far off.
“Sean picked up a bang on his ankle and had a minor arthroscopic procedure to clear it out and he is hopefully not too far away,” he added.
