RUGBY: The acute disappointment of Leinster's 20-18 loss to Llanelli in the Celtic League clash at Stradey Park on Saturday could have more tangible repercussions than simply hurt feelings. Leinster scrumhalf Guy Easterby lost three of his front teeth after receiving a bang to his mouth.
He displayed admirable bravery in continuing before eventually coming off on 60 minutes. The damage will be assessed by a dentist and depending on the course of action prescribed he could be doubtful for the province's Heineken European Cup match with Glasgow Warriors at the RDS on Saturday.
The fact that he played on after sustaining the damage suggests that with medical approval he'll look to play.
Brian O'Riordan was introduced for the final 20 minutes and would probably start in Easterby's absence. Brian O'Meara would also be in the frame and he lined out for Lansdowne in Saturday's AIB League Division One match in which Clontarf beat them.
Leinster also lost tighthead prop Will Green during the game with a shoulder injury. The joint was immobilised as his arm was put in a sling. A Leinster spokesperson confirmed that there wasn't a dislocation but that the Englishman would have a scan to find out the extent of the damage.
If Green is ruled out then Emmett Byrne would probably deputise. Ronan McCormack came on against Llanelli but Byrne is a specialist tighthead prop. Girvan Dempsey suffered a mild calf strain but lasted the 80 minutes and unless there is a significant setback should be available.
Young wing Robert Kearney looks like being available for selection as the back strain that has kept him sidelined for the past two matches appears to have eased. Leinster's opponents next Saturday, Glasgow, suffered no injury problems in their 25-23 defeat by Ulster at Ravenhill.
Ulster expect to have secondrow Matt McCullough available for next Friday night's crucial European game against Biarritz in Belfast. The young Irish international has missed the past couple of games through injury. Mark McCall would also hope that New Zealander Paul Steinmetz can shake off the knee injury that forced him out of the Glasgow match.
Munster lost a couple of players before last Saturday night's Celtic League game against Edinburgh - they enjoyed a superbly gritty 18-17 win - at Murrayfield in Marcus Horan (viral infection) and Anthony Foley (family reasons) but both are expected to be available for next Friday night's European assignment in Castres.
Declan Kidney also saw three of his frontline players come off during the Edinburgh match. John Hayes twisted his ankle, Jerry Flannery suffered a back problem and John Kelly damaged a hand. Hayes should recover while the Munster coach is hoping Flannery's back injury is a case of a spasm rather than anything more serious.
Kelly's swollen hand is giving most concern at present and it won't be until today that the medical team will be able to establish the full extent of the damage.
Connacht will hope to welcome back captain and secondrow Andrew Farley and loosehead prop Ray Hogan, both of whom missed Friday night's defeat at the Dragons, for next weekend's European Challenge Cup game against Montpellier.
