Alan Quinlan joined Ger on OTB AM this morning to discuss the latest Leinster injury developments and how it impacts the selection dilemma ahead of their semi-final Champions Cup encounter against Pro14 counterparts Scarlets.
As reported yesterday, the latest on Leinster’s dynamic duo of Seán O’Brien and Luke McGrath is that they have now been ruled out through injury for Saturday.
O’Brien had played 40 minutes before coming off as half-time substitute in last Saturday’s home defeat to Treviso in a hope to come back to full-fitness for Saturday afternoon. As Quinlan in studio noted, it has been a terrible injury run for O’Brien in recent months.
“It’s dreadful luck unfortunately. The recurrence of this shoulder injury that happened to him in his comeback a few weeks ago against the Scarlets, it’s so disappointing for – forget about the Irish and the Leinster team – but for him personally as a player, he’s had just no luck at all.
“So I really feel sorry for him.
“He’s only played six times this year coming back from a brilliant Lions tour his form was outstanding to get himself on the tour last year and he was brilliant when he was out there.
“You can look at it that way and sometimes, with some of the injuries I had, I was trying to get solace and maybe get some comfort in the fact that it would give you a year or two at the end.
“I think Seán O’Brien would love to have a year or two without a bloody injury and just get a clear run. Unfortunately that’s not happening for him at the moment.
“I saw something online [...] is he going to be another Stephen Ferris, retiring early before his time?’ He needs a clear run because no matter how mentally strong you are, I’m sure it’s very, very frustrating for the player himself."
The injury to scrum-half Luke McGrath also now leaves a selection headache for Leo Cullen, with Rule 3.7 of the 2017/18 Champions Cup – which limits “a maximum of just two ‘non-European’ players in each match-day squad” – meaning Leinster must choose over New Zealander James Lowe or Australian Scott Vardy, with Lowe most likely to miss out, as Auckland native Jamison-Gibson Park will now take over the reins at No.9 in McGrath’s absence.
Download the brand new OffTheBall App in the Play Store & App Store right now! We've got you covered!
Subscribe to OffTheBall's YouTube channel for more videos, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for the latest sporting news and content.
