Leinster wait on Ross and Kearney ahead of Castres

Leinster will wait until later in the week to make a call on the fitness of prop Mike Ross and fullback Rob Kearney ahead of their European Champions Cup tie against Castres on Sunday (1pm).

The pair returned to training this week after being left out of the squad to play Wasps last weekend with minor groin and back issues respectively.

The attritional 25-20 win over Wasps at the weekend saw a number of players rested yesterday but they were back on the pitch today and there are reportedly no fresh concerns.

Luke Fitzgerald has taken a full part and is available for the Castres clash at the Stade Pierre Antoine on Sunday , while Ben Te'o may also make his debut after his move from Rugby League side South Sydney Rabbitohs.

In the medium term, Leinster report Shane Jennings (hamstring), Dan Leavy (knee), Dave Kearney (knee) and Jordi Murphy (shoulder) have all "stepped up a gear" in their recoveries. All, bar Murphy, in fact, are in contention "for selection as early as next week", as things stand.

Long-term absentees Cian Healy (hamstring) and Sean O'Brien (shoulder), meanwhile, have both started rehab after operations.

“Both players are not expected back until the new year but both operations were a success and the injuries are healing well. “

Indeed, Healy today tweeted a pic of him taking his first step without his leg support.