DUBLIN — Leinster are set for a major boost ahead of their United Rugby Championship clash against Cardiff on Saturday, with Jamison Gibson-Park back available after returning to full training. The British and Irish Lions and Ireland scrum-half missed the opening two rounds of the 2026/27 season on tour in South Africa, where Leinster fell to back-to-back defeats, going down 27-26 against the Lions and 26-20 against the Sharks in Durban.
Gibson-Park suffered a groin injury during the Nations Championship campaign back in July and has progressed through his rehab in pre-season. He was a mainstay in Leinster’s starting XV last season as they reached the Investec Champions Cup final and won a second successive URC title, making 17 appearances for the province in all competitions, and is now available immediately for Saturday’s home opener.
His return comes as head coach Leo Cullen continues to manage a lengthy injury list. Ireland-capped duo Max Deegan and Harry Byrne both missed the defeat to the Sharks due to concussion and, following the squad’s return to Irish soil, will go for further assessment as they progress through their return-to-play protocols and remain ruled out.
Leinster are also without Jack Boyle (Achilles), RG Snyman (knee), Caelan Doris (foot/knee), Paddy McCarthy (foot), Jordan Larmour (calf), Diarmuid Mangan (foot), James Culhane (hamstring) and Joey Carbery (knee). Despite tasting defeat in both opening fixtures, Leinster sit 13th in the table with three points, and a win against Cardiff could see them climb as high as sixth, while defeat could allow Zebre, Ospreys and Scarlets to leapfrog them. The setback in Durban followed Sharks edged Leinster 26-20 in Durban in round two.
Gibson-Park’s availability offers timely reinforcement for a side seeking their first victory of the campaign in front of their home support.