Huge blow as Fergus McFadden ruled out for remainder of the season

Such a shame for the guy.

Five days out from the Champions Cup final and the injury updates mean so much more. Jordi Murphy and Luke McGrath are back training this week and both should be in contention to face Racing 92 in Bilbao on Saturday. Leinster have confirmed the bad news, however, that Fergus McFadden will miss the rest of the season. McFadden damaged his hamstring just before half-time in the 38-16 semi-final victory over Scarlets. The winger had enjoyed a superb half and would have been a key figure in trying to bottle the attacking talents of Racing's Teddy Thomas in Bilbao. As it stands, Leinster will now have to reshuffle their backline. James Lowe could come in on the left wing with the versatile Isa Nacewa switching to the right. Either option could leave them exposed to Thomas' pace, power and unpredictability but Leinster have at least had time to come up with a plan. The upcoming Champions Cup final between Racing and Leinster was previewed on The Hard Yards, with Kevin McLaughlin and Mike Prendergast [from 7:00 below] both offering their take on matters. The consensus is that Racing will go after the Leinster lineout and, to McLaughlin's mind, try to slow the game down as much as possible. All agree that Racing were hit with the worst injury blow, last month, when scrumhalf Maxime Machenaud was ruled out for the season. McFadden will also miss Leinster's Guinness PRO14 semi final against Munster, on May 19, and the May 26 final should the Blues get past their interprovincial rivals.