Leinster have been boosted by the news that internationals Brian O’Driscoll and Rob Kearney are expected to return to Heineken Cup action in January.
By Declan Whooley
The news will be a great fillip to coach Joe Schmidt but this has been tempered somewhat by the delay in Luke Fitzgerald’s return to action.
An ankle injury to O’Driscoll and back problems for full-back Kearney saw both sit out the Autumn internationals but Schmidt is delighted with the news that both men are expected to return to action for the final group games in January.
Lions international Fitzgerald had been expected to return to action but may not be back until January himself.
“Luke is in great shape. He is very sharp on his feet (in training) and it is just about waiting for the all-clear so that he can take full contact again,” Schmidt said.
“That might be one, two, three or four weeks away but I wouldn’t expect it to be any more than that,” he added.
The bad news for Exeter and the Scarlets is that all three should be fit and ready to go for the final two group games.
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