Baird, Henshaw, Osborne & O'Brien out for Leinster

Ireland quartet Ryan Baird, Robbie Henshaw, Jamie Osborne and Tommy O'Brien have all been ruled out of Leinster's United Rugby Championship game against Dragons on Friday.

Baird was forced off in Ireland's 24-13 defeat by world champions South Africa with a leg injury and Leinster say he will be out for "up to three months".

Centre Henshaw missed the South Africa game after sustaining a hamstring injury against Australia, which he is still recovering from.

O'Brien has entered return-to-play protocols, while Osborne is set for a four-month spell on the sidelines following a shoulder injury sustained in Ireland's win over Japan.

Leo Cullen will also be without Will Connors and James Culhane, who picked up arm and knee injuries respectively in Leinster 50-24 victory over Zebre last month.

There is good news for Cullen and Ireland head coach Andy Farrell however, with lock Joe McCarthy entering the final stage of his rehabilitation from a foot injury he sustained during the first British and Irish Lions Test against Australia in July.

Leinster said he will "be further assessed as the week continues" but added there are no further updates on the fitness of Cormac Foley (calf) and Hugo Keenan (hip).