Away to Scarlets, 30/01, Saturday @ 7.35pm

[erskinechilders]

Conan & Leavy around for the Scarlets game. Surely Lowe & Furlong will be given game time here too?

[wixfjord]

We could have a pretty good side available for this then.

I wonder will they give Tadhg some gametime?

Could be something like:

Byrne, Cronin, Furlong, Baird, Toner, Murphy, Leavy, Conan, Luke, H Byrne, Smith, Frawley, Turner, DK, Kelleher

Dooley, Tracy, Bent, Molony, Penny, HOS, Hawkshaw, ???

Backline injuries are the big question, having one of ROL/JOB fit would be a good boost. TOB should be due back soon enough too.

Getting Lowe in would be a big bonus.

[mildlyinterested]

Penny is injured.

Hawkshaw and Turner went off injured in recent A game.

Unclear if Leavy, Bent and DK are healthy to play.

Smith is injured.

[outcast eddie]

Scarlets players named in Wales squad and unlikely to feature against Leinster although some, like Jake Ball and Ken Owens, may benefit from extra minutes.

Forwards: Wyn Jones, Ryan Elias, Ken Owens, Jake Ball, Josh MacLeod.

Backs: Gareth Davies, Kieran Hardy, Johnny Williams, Jonathan Davies, Leigh Halfpenny, Liam Williams (suspended).

Rhys Patchell, Aaron Shingler, Samson Lee, Rob Evans and James Davies probably not available due to injury.

[mildlyinterested]

There’s positive news on the injury front from the game against Munster Rugby at the weekend, Cullen confirming that Garry Ringrose came through his return from a jaw injury with no issues and will link up with the Irish squad as planned this week.

And while Dan Leavy (calf) and Dave Kearney (hamstring) were ruled out of contention for that same game with minor issues, both are expected to train as normal this week and be available for selection for the game against Scarlets.

Unfortunately, Jimmy O’Brien has definitely been ruled out of the game with a hamstring injury that forced him off in the second half at Thomond Park.

Johnny Sexton was also forced off early in the second half of the game with a minor muscle injury but he will also link up with the Irish squad this week ahead of the Guinness Six Nations.

James Lowe is another player still working on his rehabilitation from a groin issue but he is also due to link up with the Irish squad this week for further assessment as he nears a return.

Tadhg Furlong is also very close to a return and he will look to increase his training involvement this week after recovering from a calf issue, while another tighthead prop, Michael Bent, is recovering from a neck strain picked up at training and he requires further assessment this week.

There was no update from Cullen on the following players:

Rory O’Loughlin (shoulder), Scott Penny (neck), Conor O’Brien (knee), Tommy O’Brien (ankle), Max Deegan (knee), Vakh Abdaladze (back) and Adam Byrne (hamstring)

[LeinsterLeader]

Might be struggling for a TH this week.

Seen Mike Ross during the week. He was looking fit. Just sayin'

[mildlyinterested]

Might be struggling for a TH this week.

Seen Mike Ross during the week. He was looking fit. Just sayin'

Clarkson/McGrath presumably.

[mildlyinterested]

Furlong trained today with Leinster, might be a good sign he will play this weekend:

[mildlyinterested]

Looks like Bent trained too, as did Liam Turner.

[LeinsterLeader]

Looks like Bent trained too, as did Liam Turner.

So waht are ye sayin'.....am I tellin Mike to stand down?

He's after diggin the scrum cap out an all!

[LeinsterLeader]

Happy days!

Probably still a distance from playing but great to see h's still around

[Oldschoolsocks]

Happy days!

Probably still a distance from playing but great to see h's still around

Mike Ross has lost a fair bit of weight in that picture

[LeinsterLeader]

Happy days!

Probably still a distance from playing but great to see h's still around

Mike Ross has lost a fair bit of weight in that picture

Ah yes, I see what I did there. Should have broken up my last two comments more.

Perhaps with a musical interlude!

[elephantman]

Tommy O’Brien was playing really well before his injury.

His recovery seems to be taking longer than anticipated.

Real shame. Hopefully he can get back during the 6 Nations.

[mildlyinterested]

seems like furlong will play this weekend.

[mildlyinterested]

So maybe something like this:

1. Dooley
2. Cronin
3. Furlong
4. Molony
5. Toner
6. Baird
7. Leavy
8. Conan
9. McGrath
10. HB
11. Kearney
12. Frawley
13. Turner
14. Kelleher
15. O'Reilly
16. Tracey
17. Byrne
18. Bent
19. Fardy
20. Murphy
21. HOS
22. Hawkshaw
23. Comerford

[LeinsterLeader]

Josh Murphy doing the press this week so I'm thinking

6-Murphy 7-Leavy 8-Conan ?

The pack looks grand. Your backline has a bit of the "Connacht Match" look about it!

[mildlyinterested]

Josh Murphy doing the press this week so I'm thinking

6-Murphy 7-Leavy 8-Conan ?

The pack looks grand. Your backline has a bit of the "Connacht Match" look about it!

yeah.. lots of injuries in the backs.. but at least we'd have two recognized 10's on the field as opposed to that weird JOB experiment.

still convinced we'd have won that if they had just replaced Sexton with Hawkshaw.

[Morf]

Agree MI.

Hawkshaw is a player I'd like to see a lot more of at 10/12 even if it denied time to HB or Frawley.

[mildlyinterested]

Scarlets v Leinster – KO 19:35

Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli

Referee: Mike Adamson (SRU, 49th competition game)

Assistant Referees: Craig Evans, Dan Jones (both WRU)

TMO: Jon Mason (WRU)