Heaslip hopeful for Castres
Comments
0
Leinster skipper Jamie Heaslip is rated at only '50-50' to be fit in time to lead his side back into the European Champions Cup against Castres Olympique this weekend.
Heaslip has been an ever-present in the Leinster side in Europe for their past 31 matches dating back to Rounds Five and Six of the Pool stage section in the 2010/11 season.
The 31-year-old No.8, one of the most successful players in European club rugby history with three European Cup and one Challenge Cup winners' medals, injured his shoulder in the Pro12 clash with Ulster and left the field after only 27 minutes.
"I wouldn't say he's perfectly recovered but Jamie is working away. He was in the gym last week just making sure he's able to get back pressing and working away with his rehab," revealed Leinster forwards coach Leo Cullen.
"He'll be out on the pitch for the first time today [Monday], so we can assess him then, see what it feels like running around. As the week goes on, we can start building into a little bit of contact and see how that goes, and make a call later in the week.
"We hope he will be available because he's such a key figure for us. I'd say he's probably 50-50 at this stage."
Leinster are currently in second place in Pool Two on the same points, 13, as Pool leaders Harlequins.
They face Castres, who have yet to win a game, at RDS on Saturday before finishing off their Pool campaign against Wasps at the Ricoh Arena in Round Six.
Harlequins meet Wasps at Twickenham Stoop on Saturday before travelling to France to face Castres in Round Six.
Leinster are still waiting to find out when British & Irish Lions duo Sean O'Brien and Cian Healy will be able to return after long term injuries, although neither are expected to take part in the Champions Cup games over the next two weekends.
Loose head prop Healy tore his hamstring off the bone while O'Brien was forced to undergo a second operation on his damaged shoulder in October.
One bit of good news for Leinster is that international loose forward man Shane Jennings, who pulled out of the game in the warm up against Ulster with a hamstring problem, is expected be fit for consideration.
ADVERTISEMENT
