In what is a huge blow for the player, for Leinster and for Ireland, hooker Richardt Strauss has been ruled out for the season with a heart condition.
Leinster revealed the news about the South African native in an injury bulletin today and while they don’t expect Strauss to play again this season, they are confident that he will make a full recovery.
“Following the result of extensive medical tests, it has emerged that Ireland hooker Richardt Strauss has been diagnosed with a heart condition and will be unavailable for selection for the remainder of the season,” a statement from Leinster read.
“The management are confident that the 27-year-old, who is set to undergo surgery this week, will make a full recovery and will provide him with the best care in his recovery.”
The medical tests are believed to have discovered a hole in Strauss’ heart and coach Matt O’Connor confirmed that he would be out of the game for ‘some time’. Elsewhere, it was revealed that Brian O’Driscoll has a 50/50 chance of playing against the Ospreys on Saturday, while Lote Tuqiri will miss out after suffering a recurrence of a hamstring injury against Munster at the weekend.
Zane Kirchner, meanwhile could come into the frame for selection having returned to Ireland following his involvement in South Africa’s defeat to the All Blacks in the Rugby Championship at the weekend.
Obviously, the news on Strauss’ condition overshadows everything else today and our thoughts go out to him at this time. We wish him all the best with his recovery.
