Cian Healy has been dealt an injury setback, with the Leinster and Ireland prop ruled out for multiple weeks due to a shoulder issue.
The 36-year-old missed Ireland's Rugby World Cup campaign due to an ankle injury which he picked up in their final warm-up game against Samoa, but looked like he was on course to be available for the start of Leinster's URC campaign.
However, the loosehead prop missed last Sunday's BKT United Rugby Championship defeat to Glasgow Warriors after injuring his shoulder in training, which the province expect will rule him out for "a number of weeks".
His injury leaves Leinster light on numbers at loosehead prop; Andrew Porter is among their Ireland internationals being given time off following the Rugby World Cup, while Ed Byrne is a long-term injury absentee with a hamstring issue.
The province are also currently without Michael Milne, with the Offaly man still progressing through the final stages of his rehabilitation from a shoulder injury.
Academy pair Jack Boyle and Paddy McCarthy were used at loosehead for Sunday's defeat to Glasgow, and the inexperienced duo will likely be retained in the squad for Saturday's visit of the Sharks to the RDS (live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player).
Martin Moloney has returned to training after recovering from a long-term knee injury he sustained last season.
Luke McGrath and John McKee will both require further assessment this week for respective knee and hamstring injuries picked up in the game against Glasgow Warriors at the weekend.
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