Leinster have been left counting the costs of their Investec Champions Cup victory over Harlequins, with three players in doubt for the clash against Leicester Tigers.
Leo Cullen’s charges were made to work hard for their 45-28 victory over the PREM Rugby club, scoring seven tries to Quins’ three – the Irish club rallied late, crossing for three tries in the final quarter.
Jordan Larmour (twice), Garry Ringrose, Ciaran Frawley, Tommy O’Brien, Jack Conan, and Jimmy O’Brien grabbed five pointers with Sam Prendergast adding two conversions and Harry Byrne three.
Three injury concerns
However, the victory may have come at a cost, with Springboks lock RG Snyman and Irish internationals Larmour and Ringrose leaving the pitch injured.
Snyman left the pitch inside the opening 20 minutes with the commentary stating that it was a tactical substitution; however, Leinster boss Cullen said that the lock had a niggle.
Larmour’s injury is possibly more significant, while Ringrose might just be cramp.
“Jordan looks probably the most significant of them all, I think, but that’s early days; he’s done something there. Straight away, he said he was uncomfortable,” Cullen said after the game.
“RG just was a bit uncomfortable, but again, I don’t know, he’ll go off and get whatever scan or X-ray, whatever’s going on there.
“Garry, I think that was just cramped, but he easily went down, so let’s see, I’m not sure with him. So again, short turnaround. The games are coming thick and fast at the moment.”
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Doris on the performance and Ioane’s debut
Meanwhile, Leinster skipper Caelan Doris hailed the impact of new arrival Rieko Ioane, who replaced Ringrose, and made his debut for the club.
The All Blacks star made a solid impact and unselfishly assisted full-back Tommy O’Brien for the Irish side’s final try, passing to the outside back when he could well have scored himself.
“He’s been great so far, he’s fitted in pretty quickly,” Doris said after the game.
“Obviously, it’s tricky coming in and learning a new language, in terms of all the play-calling, but he’s done a good job.
“He’s one of us already!”
The number eight said that the team had to improve their performance, but was pleased to secure a bonus point victory.
“We’re pleased to get a maximum points win, but performance-wise we’re going to need to improve,” he explained.