Leinster happy to err on side of caution with Luke Fitzgerald and Richardt Strauss

Luke Fitzgerald’s abdominal-adductor strain is refusing to comply with demands for a yes or no answer in relation to a definitive date for his return to competitive fare.

He was due to play in last Friday night’s victory over the Newport Gwent Dragons but a twinge the day before prompted his withdrawal. He is in contention to play for Leinster in Thursday night’s game against the Cardiff Blues at the Arms Park but is not a cast iron certainty to do so.

Forwards' coach Jono Gibbes offered some background. "I think it is really important that we err on the side of caution. He is really close. We wouldn't want to have a major setback when something that is niggly turns into a major (issue). It's as frustrating for him.

“We played Friday (against the Dragons) so we had a walk through on Thursday morning. He’d done (the training on the) Wednesday. There was still a little referral (of discomfort) there (on the) Thursday. It altered the team a little bit because those two guys had practised quite a bit during the week and it was a late change in both cases.”

The second player to whom Gibbes is referring is hooker Richardt Strauss, who was also expected to take part in the Dragons' match but medical opinion decreed that his hamstring was not quite ready. Gibbes continued: "It is exactly the same for Straussy. It's more a niggle out of the Wolfhounds game that we're hoping doesn't turn into anything worse.

'More conservative'
"We are hoping they'll be closer this week. They're (Fitzgerald and Strauss) itching (to play). We are probably a little more conservative with those two."

Scrumhalf Isaac Boss is the other injury concern, although he will surely be wanted by Ireland coach Joe Schmidt for the Six Nations Championship match against England at Twickenham on Saturday.

Eoin Reddan returned from injury for Leinster against the Dragons, so Schmidt must decide whether the former or Boss, who has been on the Irish bench for the wins over Scotland and Wales, will act as back-up to Conor Murray in London.

Boss was the victim of a very dangerous tip tackle by Dragons replacement prop Francisco Chapparo when introduced for Reddan. Boss was helped off and the Argentine received a red card. Gibbes admitted: “Bossy’s being reviewed and their looking further into his situation. It looks positive initially but obviously there’s a precautionary issue when the head is involved. The signs are reasonably positive.”

Leinster will be depleted still further from the Dragons match with players like Fergus McFadden, Jack McGrath, Seán Cronin and Martin Moore at the very least required by the national side for the Six Nations game.

In the absence of Dan Tuohy, Mike McCarthy may be in contention, alongside's Munster's Donnacha Ryan and Iain Henderson (Ulster).

Leinster will be drawn down in personnel terms from the squad that saw off Zebre in Italy the previous weekend. "The good thing is they had a bit of a week off and with the short turnaround we're not going to change a hell of a lot.

“A Sunday to Friday game, with minimal training time, you’re always going to get some disruption. Again with Friday to Thursday, but we’re looking at and there’s definitely a couple of things we can do, awareness wise, to have more positive outcomes, in the breakdown area in particular, and give us a little bit more dynamic play.”