Henshaw to return for Leinster against Scarlets

Henshaw to return for Leinster against Scarlets

Leinster centre Robbie Henshaw is set to return for the province in their Champions Cup semi-final with Scarlets on Saturday.

Senior coach Stuart Lancaster provided an update on injuries when he spoke to the media ahead of this weekend's showdown.

There was positive news on the return of Robbie Henshaw, who dislocated his shoulder on Six Nations duty against Italy.

“Robbie’s in better condition than I’ve ever seen him,” Lancaster told the media.

“He’s achieved his quickest speeds, he’s done his best fitness test, he looks lean and fit. He’s such a good player, and he’s been in every meeting.


“I’m absolutely certain he’ll be up to speed.”

However, first choice scrum-half Luke McGrath, who is recovering from a knee injury, looks set to lose his race to recover in time to face Wayne Pivac's side.


Jamison Gibson-Park will be handed the No. 9 shirt, which means James Lowe will fall victim to EPCR rules on non-European players as Scott Fardy is almost guaranteed to return to the blindside flank in an unchanged back-row.

Lancaster is confident that Gibson-Park can make the step up to the cauldron that awaits in a European semi-final:

''Obviously he's quite different as an attacker. It's there for everyone to see. He's played in big games in Super Rugby. He's played in big games for us and if Luke's not available then this is Jamison's time.

''There's no doubt in my mind that he's ready to play at this level.''

The return of a healthy Jack Conan further boosts back-row options for the province as Sean O'Brien & Rhys Ruddock are destined to miss out, that could see Max Deegan rewarded with a spot on the bench after making his Champions Cup debut in the Quarter-Final win over Saracens at the Aviva Stadium.

Latest News