Larmour 'unlikely' to return in time for Connacht games but targets South Africa tour

Jordan Larmour says it's "unlikely" he'll be fit for Leinster's Heineken Champions Cup Round of 16 double-header with Connacht, but is hopeful of making his return from injury for the tour of South Africa later in April.

The 24-year-old suffered a hip injury during Leinster's 61-17 win away to Benetton earlier this month, and has recently stepped up his rehab in training.

However, the wing believes the home and away ties with Connacht might just come too soon for him.

"We're not soo sure at the moment, we’re taking it week by week," he said, at the launch of the Bank of Ireland Leinster Rugby Summer Camps.

"Potentially at the moment, I might be missing them, but if the hip flexor turns a corner quickly and I can get up to top speed and change direction there might be a small opportunity.

"At the moment it’s unlikely, but we’re kind of taking it day by day, week by week and seeing how it’s reacting to the rehab."

Leo Cullen's side will depart for South Africa straight after their Champions Cup second leg with Connacht on Easter weekend, with a two-game tour of the Rainbow Nation against the Sharks in Durban and the Stormers in Cape Town on 23 and 30 April, which Larmour believes could be a more realistic window for his return.

"Sort of back running last week, and I was sprinting a bit yesterday," he said of his step-up in rehab.

"My hip flexor is feeling really good. I'm still a little bit away, a few more weeks. It's feeling really good so hopefully just kicking on with the rehab.

"That tour would be really cool to get on, that’s kind of what I’m aiming for at the moment."

The injury hit Larmour at a frustrating time, with the 30-cap Ireland international having hit excellent form in recent months, scoring five tries in his last