Leinster look set for a major boost ahead of their United Rugby Championship (URC) clash against Cardiff on Saturday, with Jamison Gibson-Park back available.
The British and Irish Lions and Ireland Test star missed Leinster’s tour of South Africa in the opening rounds of the 2026/27 season after a groin injury suffered during the Nations Championship campaign back in July.
He was a mainstay in Leinster’s starting XV last season as they reached the Investec Champions Cup final and won a second successive URC title, making 17 appearances for the province in all competitions.
Jamison Gibson-Park back in timely Leinster boost
But, after progressing through his rehab in pre-season, Gibson-Park is now back in full training with the Dublin-based side and becomes available immediately for their upcoming meeting with Cardiff.
His return is especially timely, too, with Leinster falling to back-to-back defeats in the opening two rounds of the new season, going down 27-26 against the Lions and 26-20 against the Sharks.
However, while the return of Gibson-Park gives Leo Cullen a crucial lift ahead of Saturday’s home opener, it comes amid the backdrop of both Max Deegan and Harry Byrne again being ruled out. The Ireland-capped duo both missed Leinster’s Durban defeat due to concussion, and following their return to Irish soil, they will now go for further assessment as they progress through their return-to-play protocols.
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Elsewhere, Leinster are also without Jack Boyle (Achilles), RG Snyman (knee), Caelan Doris (foot/knee), Paddy McCarthy (foot), Jordan Larmour (calf), Diarmuid Mangan (foot), James Culhane (hamstring), and Joey Carbery (knee), with that cohort still on the sidelines.
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Despite tasting defeat in both of their opening fixtures, Leinster sit 13th in the league table with three points to their name, but a win and results elsewhere falling their way could see them climb as high as sixth. However, a defeat could allow the likes of Zebre, Ospreys and Scarlets to leapfrog them at the bottom.