‘The Wolverine blood kicked in’ – Heaslip good to go for Leinster

by mobanmarket
on January 2, 2023

Updated at 15.00

JAMIE HEASLIP HAS declared himself fully fit to take part in Leinster’s Champions Cup clash with Castres at the RDS on Saturday [KO 17.30] after recovering from a shoulder injury.

The eastern province’s captain suffered damage to the AC joint in his right shoulder during the Guinness Pro12 win over Ulster on 3 January, missing the victory over the Cardiff Blues last weekend.

Earlier this week, Leinster forwards coach Leo Cullen rated Heaslip’s chances of lining out against Castres as 50/50, but the Ireland number eight says he is fit and ready to play.

Heaslip reported that he was involved in Leinster’s pitch sessions on Monday, Tuesday and today, “throwing myself about” without any ill effects.

Being sidelined, even for such a short spell, is a rare experience for the 31-year-old, whose last in-game injury before the Ulster meeting came in December of 2010 against Clermont.

Heaslip suffered the injury against Ulster. Source: James Crombie/INPHO

Heaslip is famed for his durability, so sitting in the stands through injury was an odd experience.

“It was probably embarrassing more than strange, to be honest,” said Heaslip. “I didn’t know my way around the physio room or these things called medicals that happen after games, that was a bit strange.

“I got a bit of a kick when I went out to get my scans. They had to look back to 2010 to my last scan in the hospital. I think the doctor got a bit of a giggle out of that one, because all of my injuries are on one sheet, whereas most lads have a couple of sheets worth of stuff.

Despite Heaslip’s declaration of his fitness for the Castres encounter at the RDS, there is a school of thought that Leinster would be better off resting their captain this weekend, given the French side’s poor form and the expectation of a Leinster win.

Jack Conan’s excellent performances in recent times may provide another temptation in that regard, but Leinster head coach Matt O’Connor says he will be putting his best foot forward in terms of selection.

“Not in my school, there was never that thought [of resting Heaslip]. They’re a good side and at home in Europe you put out your best blokes to get maximum points out of the game and that’s the way we’ve approached it this week.”

Kirchner has been ruled out for a month. Source: James Crombie/INPHO

Meanwhile, Zane Kirchner will be missing for four weeks after sustaining a fracture in his shin. The South African has not been in peak form in recent weeks, however, while O’Connor believes Leinster can cope in that area of the pitch.

“Anyone of that calibre is a loss, but at this point we’ve probably got bodies to cope with the loss in that position. In the back three, we’ve got some guys that have done a really good job for us historically and this year.

“So it’s not a massive loss at this point, but it could become one very quickly.”

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