Leinster set to be without a few big names for Stormers clash
SPOTLOGHT: Irish kingpin Jonny Sexton will be one of a number of star players that will be missing from Leinster’s line-up for their top of the table clash against the Stormers on Friday.
Sexton is struggling with a groin injury sustained in Ireland’s Grand Slam win over England and could be out for some time.
Given the World Cup’s proximity, it is unlikely that Ireland and Leinster will take any chances with Sexton and while it is a top-of-the-table clash, Leinster have enough confidence in the depth in their squad not to be concerned.
The Stormers’ hopes of facing the best Leinster side may well be dashed by the hangover of the Six Nations as Caelan Doris, Hugo Keenan and Garry Ringrose are all following return-to-play protocols for concussion and could miss the game as well.
Leinster are also without Jamie Osborne, who injured his knee against Edinburgh while Ronan Kelleher is also out with a shoulder injury he sustained for Ireland against Scotland.
Others that are also missing include All Black Charlie Ngatai (hamstring), Cormac Foley (hamstring) and Martin Moloney (knee).
But the bulk of the Irish players that celebrated the Six Nations title are likely to be given the weekend off against the Stormers in any case.
Harry Byrne is likely to be Sexton’s replacement and assistant coach Andrew Goodman believes there will be adequate cover for the Ireland pivot.
“It was sad to see him go off as he did,” Goodman said. “With the campaign he’s led with those Irish guys, to be captain and finish the Six Nations like that was an amazing experience for him and to lift the trophy was an amazing way to finish that part of his career.
“We’ll see how the scans come back. Ross [Byrne] has done a great job for us earlier this year. We’ve got Harry back now, he’s had a string of games together and he’s getting better. Frawls is back in the mix after his first game and the young boys, Charlie [Tector] and Sam [Prendergast], are both there. Five pretty good options, all pretty capable of playing good rugby.”
While the Stormers will be hoping for good fortunes in Dublin, they will also be keeping one eye on the Bulls’ chances against Ulster.
With Ulster just five points behind them and games running out, the Stormers will be hoping that the Bulls return to form in Belfast to give them some daylight ahead of the Northern Irish side.
Ulster Forwards Coach Roddy Grant told the media that they are targeting the Bulls game to try and get themselves into the top two. That means the Stormers are right in their sights.
“Every game now is important. We are going into four big games and want to continue the form we showed with two good wins before the break. We feel refreshed, had a good week of training and everybody is raring to go this Saturday. Bulls are a good side, full of big physical guys and our focus is fully on them.
“Top two is our target. There is a big difference between 2nd and 3rd in the big picture, so it’s very important we are going for that. We’ll try to put ourselves in the best position.”
The weekend’s fixtures between the two Irish and South African sides will go a long way to settling the log and giving a better indication of who will get home play-offs.
