Cullen: 'Leavy will come back stronger'

Leinster head coach Leo Cullen has backed flanker Dan Leavy come back stronger than ever from his latest injury setback.

The 26-year-old returned from a long-term knee injury in October which had kept him out since March 2019, but has now been ruled out for the rest of the season after undergoing surgery on a knee cartilage problem.

"Dan, as we all know, had a big injury in that Ulster quarter-final and has done incredibly well to get back, it’s another setback," Cullen said. 

"I don’t believe this procedure will be as significant in terms of making a return from that. 

"I think he will take a lot of confidence from the fact that he got back playing. 

"He understands where he got to. I do envisage him coming back stronger next time. I know

"Dan is a very resilient character, very strong mentally and we’ll put all the necessary supports in place here for him to ensure that he does get back because he’s such a key figure in the group.

"Even in the last game he played, he delivered a big performance so he’s hugely important for us.

"We see him as being a hugely important member of our group moving forward as well.

"The injuries in rugby, it's part and parcel of the job spec in many ways, [as is] trying to be able to cope with the setbacks that do come along the way in most players' careers."

Image: Sportsfile

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