LEINSTER COULD have an early Christmas present on their hands after Leo Cullen announced today that captain Johnny Sexton and tighthead prop Tadhg Furlong are close to full fitness for Friday’s clash with Gloucester in the Champions Cup.
Charlie Ngatai also came through the game at the weekend against Racing with no issues after his return from a shoulder injury.
Speaking to media after the the win over Racing 92, Cullen confirmed that both Furlong and Sexton had increased their training load last week and were back running.
“They were both due to run over the past couple of days, so we will see how they went,” said Cullen of Sexton and Furlong after the game.
“They are not a million miles away.”
Leo Cullen has issued a positive update on a number of players ahead of Friday's #HeinekenChampionsCup game against @gloucesterrugby
READ: https://t.co/zHI4ZVd23H#LEIvGLO pic.twitter.com/lrmBjqdLI4— Leinster Rugby (@leinsterrugby) December 12, 2022
He further emphasised that point on Monday with both expected to increase their involvement further this week ahead of Friday’s game in the RDS Arena.
A final call will be made on their availability closer to the game.
Sexton did his calf in the Ireland Autumn Nations series and had to pull out of the game against Australia, while Furlong picked up an ankle issue in the URC win over Ulster two weekends ago.
There were no further updates on Robbie Henshaw (wrist), Martin Moloney (knee), Ciarán Frawley (knee), Will Connors (bicep), James Tracy (neck), Charlie Ryan (knee) and Tommy O’Brien (knee).
Leinster's Heineken Champions Cup game in the RDS Arena against Gloucester Rugby Kicks-off on Friday at 8pm. It's live on RTÉ TV and radio.
