LEO Cullen and Leinster have been handed a major squad boost ahead of the Champions Cup pool clash against La Rochelle.
The Dublin-based province travel to their rivals, who sit sixth in the Top 14 table heading into Sunday’s clash at Stade Marcel-Deflandre.
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Leinster head coach Leo Cullen has received a number on injury boosts ahead of the clash against La Rochelle
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La Rochelle’s Irish coach Ronan O’Gara will be without Teddy Thomas for Sunday’s showdown
And it’s good news for the four-time European Cup winners ahead of the clash against their rivals.
Hugo Keenan, Ciarán Frawley and Jack Conan are all available for selection.
Full-back Hugo Keenan is set to make his return to action for Leinster in Sunday’s clash for the first time since Ireland’s November victory over Australia.
Keenan sustained a wrist injury during the 22-19 win over the Wallabies at the Aviva Stadium.
Leinster also confirmed the availability of Jack Conan, Ciarán Frawley, Thomas Clarkson, and Max Deegan.
Conan returns after an injury suffered against Connacht just before Christmas.
Frawley has recovered from a back issue sustained in the game against Bristol Bears.
Clarkson is fit again following an arm injury picked up in the win over Clermont, and Deegan has completed the graduated return-to-play protocols.
in a further boost, Tadhg Furlong has not been completely ruled out.
The province said he’ll be further assessed before a final decision is made on his availability after a long standing hamstring issue.
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Elsewhere. Ronan O’Gara and La Rochelle will be without Teddy Thomas for the clash.
The 31-year-old France international was further punished after a yellow-carded for a challenge on Clermont’s Theo Giral.
A review committee cited the incident, and the player received a four game ban.
The news will come as a blow to Ronan O’Gara’s team ahead of the clash with their Euro rivals.
Thomas will be missing for Saturday’s French league clash with Toulouse, and the Pool 2 rematch against Leo Cullen’s side next Sunday, who beat La Rochelle twice last season.
Kick-off is at 3:15pm on Sunday.
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The post Leinster welcome back trio for huge Champions Cup clash against Ronan O’Gara’s La Rochelle first appeared on Rugby 247.
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Author : rugby-247
Publish date : 2025-01-07 18:24:44
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