Cronin a concern for Newcastle final as Byrne to miss Leinster’s run-in
SEÁN CRONIN HAS had a scan on the calf injury he sustained during Saturday’s Heineken Champions Cup semi-final victory over Toulouse, and Leinster will now face an anxious wait over the hooker’s fitness for next month’s final.
Cronin was forced off after 34 minutes at the Aviva Stadium on Sunday and had his right calf heavily strapped at full-time, while also using a crutch as he joined Leinster’s on-pitch celebrations.
Cronin was forced off against Toulouse. Source: James Crombie/INPHO
The 32-year-old — who is definitely out of Saturday’s Guinness Pro14 trip to Ulster — is currently working with the province’s medical staff to determine the exact prognosis, but scrum coach John Fogarty admits Cronin ‘is a concern’ for the Saracens showdown on 11 May.
Cronin does have a two-week window to be fit for the St’ James Park final as Leinster, courtesy of their automatic qualification for a home Pro14 semi-final, have a week off after this weekend ahead of Sarries.
“At the moment, he’s getting assessed,” Fogarty said this afternoon.
“We’re not quite sure how he’s going to pan out. He’s a pretty important player for us, but we have some time. Us doing so well in the Pro14 gives us next week to get people back and prep and train.
“Seán will need it to get himself back but we won’t know for sure just yet. It’s working out when he’ll get back, and we’re not quite there yet. He’ll be assessed and monitored and then there will be markers this week he has to hit. To say he’ll be back and flying it wouldn’t be truthful.”
Asked whether Cronin is an injury doubt for Leinster’s fifth European final, Fogarty added: “At this moment in time, he can’t train or play. Hopefully, he’ll do a small bit of running later in the week but he’s getting assessed now. Right now, he’s a concern.”
There was also bad news for Adam Byrne over the weekend after a scan showed the winger’s quad injury will rule him out for the remainder of the season. He suffered the issue during Leinster’s defeat to Glasgow Warriors two weeks ago.
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