Leinster Injury Blows: Baird and Usanov Ruled Out for Ulster Clash
Leinster faces a challenging selection crisis ahead of their United Rugby Championship (URC) Round 15 encounter with Ulster this Friday. The squad has suffered two definitive losses as Ryan Baird and Alex Usanov have been ruled out of the trip to Affidea Stadium in Belfast.
Both players sustained injuries during Saturday’s Champions Cup quarter-final victory over Sale Sharks at the Aviva Stadium. While Leinster secured a home semi-final against Toulon with that win, the physical toll of the match has left coach Leo Cullen with several gaps to fill in the roster.
Immediate Absentees and Injury Details
The losses of Baird and Usanov are confirmed, with both players forced to leave the field before the conclusion of the Sale Sharks match:
- Alex Usanov: The loosehead prop played only a few minutes before being withdrawn with an ankle injury. He was replaced by Jerry Cahir.
- Ryan Baird: The flanker, who scored Leinster’s third try of the game, was replaced by Max Deegan with 20 minutes remaining in the match.
Selection Doubts and Monitoring
Beyond the confirmed absences, several key players remain uncertain for the Friday night fixture. According to RTÉ, the following players are undergoing further assessment:
- Josh van der Flier: The flanker was replaced by Scott Penny after 49 minutes against Sale; his availability is currently in question.
- Caelan Doris: The captain missed the Sale game and is due for further assessment later this week.
- Andrew Porter: The prop also sat out the match against Sale and remains a doubt for the trip to Belfast.
The injury to Usanov is particularly concerning for the squad as it further narrows Leinster’s options at loosehead prop, especially with Andrew Porter’s status still uncertain.
Positive News for Leo Cullen
It isn’t all awful news for the Leinster camp. The Irish Times reports that Hugh Cooney has returned to training after recovering from a foot injury and is available for selection this weekend.
- Confirmed Out: Ryan Baird and Alex Usanov.
- Under Assessment: Caelan Doris, Josh van der Flier, and Andrew Porter.
- Returning: Hugh Cooney is back in training, and available.
- URC Standing: Leinster currently sits in fourth spot with four games remaining in the regular season.
Looking Ahead
Leinster must navigate these personnel shortages while maintaining their momentum in the URC. With a Champions Cup semi-final on the horizon, managing player welfare and depth will be critical for Leo Cullen as they head into the clash at Affidea Stadium.
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