Ireland duo Sheehan and Lowe closing in on returnspublished at 15:12 14 January
15:12 14 January
Image source, Inpho
Image caption,
Dan Sheehan (left) and James Lowe are key players for Ireland
Ireland have received a boost on the eve of their Six Nations squad announcement with Leinster confirming that Dan Sheehan and James Lowe are nearing a return to action.
Hooker Sheehan, 26, has not played since sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament injury during Ireland's defeat by South Africa in July.
New Zealand-born wing Lowe, 32, has been out since Ireland's Autumn Nations Series win over Australia on 30 November with a calf problem.
In an injury bulletin issued on Tuesday, Leinster said both players may feature in Saturday's Champions Cup match against Bath at Aviva Stadium.
Ireland back row Will Connors is also in contention, having been sidelined since the end of November.
Fit-again international trio Tadhg Furlong, Jack Conan and Ciaran Frawley all came through Sunday's win at La Rochelle without injury.
Having already qualified for the last 16, Leo Cullen's side - who have won all 12 of their games this season - are looking to seal top spot in Champions Cup pool 2 when they welcome Premiership leaders Bath to Dublin on Saturday (17:30 GMT).
Ireland interim head coach Simon Easterby names his Six Nations squad on Wednesday.
Barrett replaces injured O'Brien for Leinster against La Rochellepublished at 11:08 11 January
11:08 11 January
Image source, Inpho
Image caption,
Barrett starts at full-back for Leinster at the Stade Marcel Deflandre
Jordie Barrett has been drafted into Leinster's team to face La Rochelle in the Investec Champions Cup on Sunday after an injury to Tommy O'Brien.
O'Brien picked up an injury in Friday's captain's run and will not travel to France for the game at the Bristol Bears in December.
The change has forced Leo Cullen into a backline reshuffle with New Zealand international Barrett starting at full-back.
Jimmy O'Brien will move to the right wing and Jamie Osborne will shift to left wing.
Ciaran Frawley has taken Barrett's place amongst the replacements and is in line for his first appearance since he was withdrawn at half-time with a back injury against Bristol Bears in December.
Leinster, who last won the European title in 2018, are unbeaten in this season's Champions Cup and in the United Rugby Championship.
Ronan O'Gara's La Rochelle have also won both of their European matches with Bath and Bristol to top Pool 2 on points difference ahead of Leinster.
Replacements: G McCarthy, Porter, Silmani, Snyman, Conan, McGrath, Byrne, Frawley.
Furlong returns for Leinster against La Rochellepublished at 14:42 10 January
14:42 10 January
Image source, Inpho
Image caption,
Tadhg Furlong last featured for Leinster in October because of a hamstring injury
Ireland prop Tadhg Furlong will make his first appearance for Leinster since October in Sunday's Investec Champions Cup game with La Rochelle.
Furlong, who missed Ireland's autumn internationals with a hamstring injury, will make his 150th appearance for Leinster, a landmark that will also be reached by scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park.
Leinster, who last won the European title in 2018, are unbeaten in this season's Champions Cup and in the United Rugby Championship.
Ronan O'Gara's La Rochelle have also won both of their European matches with Bath and Bristol to top Pool 2 on points difference ahead of Leinster.
La Rochelle, who defeated Leinster in the 2022 and 2023 finals, are missing experienced forward Will Skelton though injury as O'Gara names a 7-1 split on the bench.
Leinster have made just one change to their back line from December's win over Munster as Gibson-Park comes in for Luke McGrath at number nine.
Furlong and Cian Healy join Ronan Kelleher in an all-Ireland front row while Caelan Doris captains the team from number eight.
Thomas to miss Leinster game after picking up banpublished at 17:49 2 January
17:49 2 January
Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,
Teddy Thomas in action for La Rochelle during their Champions Cup quarter-final defeat by Leinster at Aviva Stadium in April
La Rochelle back Teddy Thomas has been ruled out of his side's Investec Champions Cup game against Leinster in France on 12 January after receiving a suspension for an incident in a Top 14 game.
The 31-year-old France international was shown a yellow card for a challenge on Clermont Auvergne's Theo Giral in a meeting between the sides before Christmas.
Thomas was subsequently cited and banned for four games.
As well as missing the European encounter with Leo Cullen's side, he will also sit out Top 14 matches against Toulouse and Toulon and the Champions Cup pool game away to Benetton on 18 January.
Leinster twice defeated La Rochelle in Europe last season on their way to the Champions Cup final, once in the group stage and then in the quarter-finals.
Both sides have won their opening Pool 2 matches in this year's competition, accumulating nine points apiece in the process.
Leinster are undefeated in 11 outings in all competitions this season so far thanks to nine straight wins in the United Rugby Championship and two to begin their campaign in the Champions Cup. La Rochelle sit sixth in the Top 14 table.
A statement read: "Teddy Thomas was found responsible for dangerous play and more particularly for charging or bringing down an opponent carrying the ball without attempting to grab that player. A suspension of six weeks was the entry point.
"After taking into account the aggravating circumstance (disciplinary record), the sanction was increased by one week.
"After taking into account mitigating circumstances (recognition of the facts, conduct before and during the hearing, expression of remorse), the sanction was reduced by three weeks.
"Consequently, Thomas is suspended for four weeks. As of January 2, and taking into account the schedule of Stade Rochelais matches, Thomas will be free to play from January 27."
Leinster start Prendergast but Crowley out for Munsterpublished at 12:45 26 December 2024
12:45 26 December 2024
Image source, Inpho
Irish rugby fans will not be treated to an intriguing fly-half duel between Leinster's Sam Prendergast and Munster's Jack Crowley with the latter set to miss Friday's United Rugby Championship interpro at Thomond Park (19:35 GMT).
Prendergast and Crowley have been battling for the Ireland 10 jersey with each player starting two of last month's Autumn Nations Series matches.
But while Prendergast, who was preferred for Ireland's two most recent wins over Fiji and Australia, starts for Leinster, Crowley has been ruled out because of Irish Rugby Football Union [IRFU] player management guidelines with Billy Burns named to start.
Crowley's absence is a further blow for Munster interim head coach Ian Costello, who is without several players amid a mounting injury list.
Earlier this week, Thaakir Abrahams (shoulder), Craig Casey (knee) and Jean Kleyn (thigh) were ruled out for approximately four months while Alex Nankivell (hamstring) is also unavailable.
In addition, Peter O'Mahony (calf contusion), Conor Murray (elbow) and Jack O'Donoghue (shoulder) have failed to regain their fitness in time for Friday's game.
Munster make seven changes from their win over Ulster in Belfast. Tadhg Beirne returns as captain, with Rory Scannell, Billy Burns, Ethan Coughlan, Dian Bleuler, Oli Jager and Alex Kendellen also recalled.
Fit-again Jamie Osborne Ireland back returns for Leinster after missing the last three games with the groin injury he sustained on international duty last month.
His inclusion is one of 11 changes made by head coach Leo Cullen, who has recalled Ireland internationals Prendergast, Robbie Henshaw and Garry Ringrose to his backline after last week's win over Connacht.
Ronan Kelleher, Gus McCarthy, James Ryan, Ryan Baird, Josh van der Flier and Caelan Doris are reinstated to the Leinster pack, but New Zealand international Jordie Barrett has not been included in the 23.
Springbok lock RG Snyman, who left Munster to join Leinster last summer, is also missing from Cullen's matchday squad.
Munster: Mike Haley; Calvin Nash, Tom Farrell, Rory Scannell, Shane Daly; Billy Burns, Ethan Coughlan; Dian Bleuler, Niall Scannell, Oli Jager; Fineen Wycherley, Tadhg Beirne (capt); Tom Ahern, Alex Kendellen, Gavin Coombes.
Replacements: Diarmuid Barron, Kieran Ryan, John Ryan, Brian Gleeson, John Hodnett, Paddy Patterson, Tony Butler, Ben O'Connor.
Leinster: Jamie Osborne; Tommy O'Brien, Garry Ringrose, Robbie Henshaw, Jimmy O'Brien; Sam Prendergast, Luke McGrath; Jack Boyle, Ronan Kelleher, Rabah Slimani; Joe McCarthy, James Ryan; Ryan Baird, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris (capt).
Replacements: Lee Barron, Andrew Porter, Cian Healy, Brian Deeny, Scott Penny, Fintan Gunne, Ross Byrne, Jordan Larmour.
Ireland and Leinster centre Henshaw signs new IRFU dealpublished at 10:29 23 December 2024
10:29 23 December 2024
Image source, Inpho
Image caption,
Robbie Henshaw started in three of Ireland's Autumn Nations Series matches in Dublin
Ireland and Leinster centre Robbie Henshaw has signed a two-year contract extension with the IRFU until the 2027-28 season.
The 31-year-old is one of five players alongside Conor Murray, Cian Healy, Iain Henderson and Peter O'Mahony to have won five Six Nations titles with Ireland.
Henshaw has won 77 Test caps in green since making his debut against USA in 2013, scoring 10 tries in that time.
He started all three Tests for the British and Irish Lions on their 2021 tour to South Africa and has played 95 times for Leinster, scoring 100 points.
"It is a great boost to secure my long-term future with the IRFU and I am delighted to get this deal concluded ahead of a busy period - it is a huge privilege to play rugby in Ireland because we are so well looked after, from coaching, facilities, sports science and player management perspectives," said Henshaw.
"It's also an incredibly competitive place to play rugby, and, even though we have enjoyed some success in recent years, there is great hunger within Irish Rugby to continue driving forward. I believe that my best days are to come and I am excited to continue my journey here in Ireland."
IRFU performance director David Humphreys praised Henshaw's contribution to Ireland stretching over a decade.
"Since breaking into the senior international squad 11 years ago, Robbie has been a consistent presence in one of the most competition areas of the Irish backline. Robbie is a consummate professional and a popular figure who continues to set the bar high.
"His performances during the recent Autumn Nations Series suggest that there is even more to come and I am delighted that he will continue his playing career here in Ireland and with Leinster."
Ireland trio make Connacht return for Leinster trippublished at 13:14 20 December 2024
13:14 20 December 2024
Image source, Getty Images
Ireland's Bundee Aki, Mack Hansen and Finlay Bealham have returned to the Connacht line-up for Saturday's United Rugby Championship trip to Leinster (17:30 GMT).
The international trio were rested for Connacht's Challenge Cup games after their exertions during Ireland's Autumn Nations Series.
They will face a much-changed Leinster team with only All Blacks star Jordie Barrett and Jimmy O'Brien retained from last week's Investec Champions Cup win over Clermont.
Barrett, making his first URC appearance, switches from full-back to inside centre while O'Brien moves from the wing to full-back.
With Sam Prendergast rested, Ross Byrne is recalled at fly-half while two-time World Cup winning Springbok second row RG Snyman makes his first start since October.
URC table-toppers Leinster have won all seven games this season while Connacht are eighth after three victories and four defeats, including a 33-12 reverse to Leo Cullen's side in October.
Leinster: J O'Brien; A Arenzana-King, C Tector, J Barrett, A Osborne; R Byrne, L McGrath; J Boyle, G McCarthy, R Slimani; D Mangan, RG Snyman; A Soroka, S Penny, J Conan (capt).
Replacements: L Barron, M Milne, C Healy, B Deeny, R Baird, J Gibson-Park, H Byrne, M Deegan.
Connacht: P O'Conor; M Hansen, C Forde, B Aki, S Jennings; J Ioane, B Murphy; D Buckley, D Heffernan, F Bealham; J Murphy, D Murray; C Prendergast (capt) S Hurley-Langton, P Boyle.
Replacements: D Tierney-Martin, J Duggan, J Aungier, O Dowling, S Jansen, C Blade, S Cordero, C Oliver.
More to come from Leinster after Euro win - Cullenpublished at 08:59 15 December 2024
08:59 15 December 2024
Jonathan Bradley BBC Sport NI Journalist at Aviva Stadium
Image source, Inpho
Image caption,
Leinster scored just three points after the 24th minute in their 15-7 win over Clermont
Leinster boss Leo Cullen admitted his side are "not at the level" they need to be despite beating Clermont Auvergne 15-7 to record a ninth consecutive win to start this campaign.
The Champions Cup victory over Top 14 opposition came thanks to two tries in four first-half minutes from Garry Ringrose and Jordie Barrett but otherwise the Irish province managed just a solitary Sam Prendergast penalty.
Their line-out was an issue throughout, while the game lost much of its shape when conditions worsened in the second half.
Cullen does not feel Leinster are displaying the kind of form shown by last season's fellow finalists Toulouse who beat Ulster 61-21 in the opening game of their title defence last week.
"There's is a lot more in us," he said.
"If we want to be successful and go on in this competition, we are not at the level of probably where, as an example, I watched Toulouse last week, where they are.
"They are in unbelievable form at the moment so we've plenty to work on."
Leinster, who return to United Rugby Championship action against Connacht on 21 December, still took nine points from their first two Champions Cup fixtures having also beaten Bristol Bears at Ashton Gate.
"If someone said you were going to get nine points from the two games, you'd probably be quite happy, but when you score two tries in the first half of the second game having got five points last week, it sort of feels like there are things there that we can be better at," Cullen added.
"The dressing room is frustrated at how we performed because we want to put on a better show in front of our home fans but at the same time, you've got to win against a team that is used to these sort of arm-wrestles in the Top 14, where they're currently sitting third.
"They've ton of experience. It's good to get a win."
Barrett handed first start as Leinster make five changespublished at 13:59 13 December 2024
13:59 13 December 2024
Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,
Jordie Barrett scored a try after coming off the bench in the 35-12 win over Bristol Bears
Jordie Barrett will make his first start for Leinster in Saturday's Champions Cup Pool 2 match against Clermont Auvergne at the Aviva Stadium.
All Black Barrett signed from the Hurricanes on a short-term deal at the end of November and scored a try on his debut off the bench in last week's 35-12 win over Bristol Bears.
The 67-times capped New Zealander takes the place of the injured Ciaran Frawley at full-back.
Sam Prendergast retains the number 10 shirt after scoring two tries in the away victory over the English Premiership side.
Leinster head coach Leo Cullen has made five changes in total to his starting team, with captain Caelan Doris, Liam Turner, Andrew Porter and Thomas Clarkson also being included.
Clermont defeated Benetton 28-0 in their opening Pool 1 encounter.
Leinster: Barrett; Turner, Ringrose, Henshaw, O'Brien; Prendergast, Gibson-Park; Porter, Kelleher, Clarkson; Joe McCarthy, Ryan; Deegan, van der Flier, Doris (capt).
Image source, Inpho
