Dempsey nears return as Lions tour looms

NEWS: Glasgow Warriors’ Jack Dempsey could be a huge contender come the British and Irish Lions tour later this year.

With Sione Tuipulotu, Huw Jones, and Zander Fagerson almost certain to be named in Andy Farrell’s touring squad, Dempsey could also put up his hand for selection.

Warriors assistant coach Nigel Carolan believes his side has several ‘really strong contenders’ to represent the British and Irish Lions with Dempsey a potential candidate nearing a return from injury.

The Lions travel to Australia in June and the upcoming Six Nations will be crucial for players aiming to impress.

There is no doubt that Gregor Townsend’s Scotland squad will be littered with Warriors, including Dempsey.

The Australian-born back-row has been sidelined with a shoulder injury sustained in Scotland’s Autumn Nations Series defeat to South Africa but he’s nearing a return.

It’s understood that he is unlikely to feature against Racing 92 at Scotstoun in the European Champions Cup on Friday – although it’s not ruled out – with Glasgow’s trip to Harlequins in a fortnight more realistic for the 30-year-old.

“Jack is a hell of a lot closer than he was before Christmas,” Carolan confirmed.

“Every week he’s getting a bit closer. So we hope that he’s training fully this week. It could be a week too early for him, but we’ll know as he’s joining training collectively. It’s good to have him back.”

Long-term absentees Sione Valianu and JP du Preez are closing in on returns, while Adam Hastings is making progress.

“Sione and JP du Preez are maybe a couple of weeks away as opposed to days away,” Carolan added. “Again it’s good to have them back with their dates getting closer. They’re valuable assets to the club and they’ll be a welcome return when they do make it back.

“Adam is fit and back training, but it’s just more precautionary. He was wired up in the jaw until a couple of weeks ago. Again it’s a bit of management and building back up his confidence around contact. It was a horrendous injury and it’s certainly one that we’re not going to rush back.”

The positive injury update is more good news for Franco Smith and there’s been plenty to smile about for the Warriors head coach across recent months.

Key players Kyle Steyn, Sione Tuipulotu, and Zander Fagerson have all committed their futures to Glasgow despite serious interest from European giants and Carolan believes the Warriors have world-class talent within their squad.

He added: “If you look at the profile of our team, there are some guys hitting their straps now like Zander, Sione, and Jones, and those guys we think would be really strong contenders for thenLions.

“They’re the best in Europe, if not the world, then we’ve got a cohort of really good young fellas coming through as well – Gregor Brown, Alex Samuel, Max Williamson, Jamie Dobie – which we’re building for the future. Over the last couple of years, a few players have moved on like Ryan Wilson, Fraser Brown, and now Richie Gray.”