Leinster short of props for Castres visit

Leinster

are considering whether to appeal the three-game ban handed down to Jack McGrath

on Friday. The loosehead prop was suspended for stamping on Ulster's Rory Best during Leinster's 24-11 win in the RDS earlier this month.

McGrath’s suspension runs to January 25. He was unavailable for selection against Cardiff in the Pro12 last weekend, and is also out of the Champions Cup pool encounters against Castres this week and Wasps after that.

The problem is exacerbated by the injury to Ireland loosehead Cian Healy, which looks like keeping him away from the paddock for another couple of weeks. Leinster go into this week's match against Castres hoping for a win and a bonus point to keep their interest in the competition alive.

Leinster are second in the pool on equal points (13) with Harlequins, while Castres are out of contention.

Breach of rules

An appeal, if it goes badly for Leinster, could see McGrath’s suspension increased. The Independent

Disciplinary Committee

took the view that his breach of the rules warranted a five-week entry-point suspension, but showed leniency due to the 25-year-old’s previously unblemished record and conduct at the hearing.

"We got the judgement on Friday. We've got until Wednesday to lodge an appeal, if that is deemed the correct course of action," said Leinster forwards coach Leo Cullen. "They are discussing that at the moment and we will have a look through the judgement and take it from there. We will make a decision by Wednesday."

The former Irish secondrow confirmed that it was a matter of some necessity that McGrath be available as Leinster are not prepared to rush Healy back until his hamstring injury has completely healed.

“We do need him, for sure,” said Cullen about McGrath. “You need all your best players available. With injuries and this unfortunate suspension, we just have to manage the bodies that we have. We didn’t have Jack at the weekend and we thought the frontrow did pretty well against a pretty experienced all-Lions frontrow at one point.”

While Zane Kirchner was hobbling around UCD on crutches, there's no real concern for the South African, who was reported to be able to train this week. Forwards Kevin McLaughlin (shoulder) and Rhys Ruddock are sidelined for some time. Ruddock is still in a cast with a broken arm.

Fergus McFadden, who took a significant blow from Cardiff backrow Manoa Vosawai and looked dazed during the game, recovered well and is also fit for selection, while doubt still surrounds captain Jamie Heaslip, who remains a 50-50 decision due to a shoulder injury.

Cullen added that although it was unlikely either Healy or Sean O’Brien would be able to play this week, he would not definitively rule out Healy from the match.

“They’ve been out for quite a while. They’re training away. When you have those long-term injuries, you have some really good weeks and maybe weeks where they struggle and don’t make any progress, and sometimes go backwards,” he said.

“It’s almost like every Monday they’ll have a run-around in the afternoon and see what it looks like then. We’ll sort of make the call as the week goes on.

“They’re probably still a little bit off. They’re getting closer. You almost want to protect them from themselves. Those two guys are so keen to be involved. It’s about letting the medics use their experience.

“In terms of Cian’s situation, he is quite similar to Straussy. Richardt came back from a hamstring tear off the bone as well, so they have a pretty good idea, dealing with the surgeons as well outside of this environment. Sean coming back from his shoulder. There are very set return protocols with him.”