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Mixed bag for Leinster on the injury front ahead of Munster Pro14 clash

Garry Ringose's jaw injury is still being assessed
Garry Ringose's jaw injury is still being assessed

Leinster coach Leo Cullen has confirmed that Seán Cronin and Ciarán Frawley will be available for selection for the province's Guinness Pro14 clash with Munster on Saturday.

Cronin (knee) and Frawley (hamstring) had been doubts, but are set to train normally this week, while James Lowe will be monitored as he continues his recovery from a groin injury.

Meanwhile, Garry Ringrose is still struggling with his jaw. He broke it back in October playing for Ireland against Italy in a rescheduled Six Nations clash, but was back in action for the province in December. 

He has not fully recovered from a knock to the same area suffered in the Heineken Champions Cup victory over Northampton on 19 December, and he will be further assessed this week.

"50/50," is assistant coach Robin McBryde's answer when asked what the chances are of seeing Ringrose or Lowe at Thomand Park this weekend.

Tadhg Furlong

Elsewhere, Tadhg Furlong won't return to full training this week with the province.

The Wexford man, who hasn't played since Ireland's 12-point defeat to England in February of last year, is currently nursing a calf injury after initially damaging his back in that game at Twickenham.

Although it's unlikely the 28-year-old will see action for Leinster over the next couple of weekends, McBryde wouldn't rule Furlong out of an appearance in the Six Nations.

"It's a very graduated return to play, as anybody could understand, because of the series of injuries he's had. They just want to make 100% sure that he's right.

"In the next couple of weeks definitely (he'll return). He's training, he's taken a full part in units. He's only got a few boxes to tick again, really.

"It'll end a very frustrating time for Tadhg, who has kept himself going remarkably well during this period. With the Six Nations around the corner, I'm sure he's itching to get back then and chuck his hat in the ring.

"There are certain players who can just turn it on; big-match players who don't need that amount of game time before they're thrown in at the deep end.

"In my eyes, Tadhg is on of those players. He's a class act.

"Because of the training environment, and how competitive it is here, when you think of the rest of the front rowers that are scrummaging with him or against him, the training sessions really are - intensity wise - not far off what he's going to be faced with if he ends up in the national squad."

After the trip to Limerick on Saturday, Leinster will be in Wales the following weekend to play Scarlets. 

All four Irish provinces are awaiting confirmation on how European competitions will proceed after last week's decision to go straight to knockout in both the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup. 

Follow Munster v Leinster (7.35pm Saturday) and Connacht v Ospreys (3pm Sunday) via our live blogs on RTÉ.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app or listen to live commentary on RTÉ Radio 1.

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