It was confirmed today that Leinster's Fergus McFadden is out for the rest of the season and will miss Leinster's Champions Cup final against Raving 92. McFadden was ruled out with a hamstring injury he suffered during the semi-final against Scarlets.
It is a cruel blow for a player in terrific form for the province. Stuart Lancaster told RTE Sport the entire club was disappointed for the 31-year-old.
It's a huge blow for him. He played so well and fought his way back into form and fought his way into the team in a really competitive position.
We're blessed we've got a lot of players in that position but we're really disappointed for him.
However, scrum-half Luke McGrath is set to train fully this week after recovering from his ankle injury. His return means James Lowe can return to the Leinster back three. Lowe was ruled out of the Champions Cup semi-final as Jamison Gibson-Park and Scott Fardy occupied the 3.7 rule which stats only two non-European players can be in the squad.
South Africa and the Pacific Island countries are exempt from this rule but Australia and New Zealand are not.
In the Champions Cup quarter-final, Leinster started with Rob Kearney; Fergus McFadden, Garry Ringrose, Isa Nacewa (C), James Lowe; Johnny Sexton, Luke McGrath.
In the semi-final, it was Rob Kearney; Fergus McFadden; Garry Ringrose; Robbie Henshaw; Isa Nacewa; Johnny Sexton; Jamison Gibson-Park.
The return of Henshaw to the centre could see Nacewa line out on the wing, with James Lowe coming in on the other side.
Leinster face Racing 92 in the final this Saturday in Bilbao with coverage beginning at 4 on BT Sport and Sky Sports Action.
