Leinster

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On Monday, the Six Nations published the written reasons for Ireland centre Garry Ringrose's three-match suspension.

Ringrose was handed a three-game ban following his red card against Wales for a high tackle on Ben Thomas.

Ringrose's ban came after the mid-range entry point of a six week/match suspension was reduced by 50% taking into account his guilty plea and previous disciplinary record.

He will miss Saturday's Six Nations match against France. A further game will be taken off should Ringrose complete World Rugby's Coaching Intervention Programme.

Significantly, Ringrose's suspension included Leinster's United Rugby Championship win over Cardiff on Saturday, so if he completes the coaching intervention programme, he will be available for Ireland's final Six Nations game against Italy on 15 March.

The Leinster game being included in the ban has caused some confusion. Earlier in the tournament, France fly-half Romain Ntamack was handed a two-game ban following his red card against Wales.

Ntamack's suspension, however, covered France's Six Nations fixtures against England and Italy, but not Toulouse's Top 14 encounter with Clermont, which took place during a Six Nations fallow week (like Leinster's game with Cardiff).

Over the weekend, French Rugby Federation (FFR) vice-president Jean-Marc Lhermet said they are seeking an explanation around the differences between Ringrose and Ntamack's cases.

The written report on Ringrose's online disciplinary hearing explains that Ireland interim head coach Simon Easterby said the decision had already been taken to release Ringrose back to Leinster for the Cardiff game.

That was, according to Easterby, because Ireland have "three world-class centres" in their squad (Ringrose, Bundee Aki and Robbie Henshaw) and thus Ringrose's game time in the Six Nations this year has been "limited".

Interestingly, part of the reason for releasing Ringrose back to Leinster was "to allow him the chance to play in a different position in order that Ireland can consider using [Ringrose] on the wing as well as in the centre".

The written report confirms the independent disciplinary committee was shown an e-mail sent by the Irish Rugby Football Union [IRFU] to Leinster on 24 February confirming Ringrose was included in a list of Ireland players released back to the province.

Ireland beat Wales on 22 February, so the e-mail was sent in between Ringrose being sent off and his disciplinary hearing on 27 February.

Considering all of the above, the committee was "satisfied" that Ringrose "had been expected to play at least some part" in Leinster's Cardiff game.

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Ireland prop Cian Healy says he is "thankful" for the 10 extra years in his career after announcing his retirement from the sport.

Healy, who is Ireland's record cap holder, will end his international career after the Six Nations and call time on Leinster at the end of the season.

The 37-year-old said he was "grateful" that he was still playing after a neck injury almost ended his career in 2015.

He lost movement in his right hand after a damaged disk in his neck, but he recovered and overtook Brian O'Driscoll as Ireland's most-capped player against Australia in November.

"After that I had a different approach to rugby and how I spent my time and how much effort I put into rugby," said Healy.

"When that's nearly been taken away from you, you get a little bit more thankful for those opportunities.

"You manage to enjoy it a little bit more and I've managed to squeeze 10 years of enjoying it a bit more.

"It's all been good since then. I've been up and down and all around the pecking order, but it's still better than not doing it."

'Still here to do a job'

Healy said his decision to retire "was as good as done" in December and he confirmed his plans to Leinster before heading into Ireland camp for the Six Nations.

Ireland lead the Six Nations with three wins from as many matches and face France in their penultimate match on 2 March.

"Just because I've decided to retire doesn't mean I'm starting to think back about things or about the past," added Healy.

"I'm here to do a job, and ideally that job is two more wins and lift a trophy."

Healy has not ruled out playing for his boyhood club Clontarf next season when he retires from professional rugby but says his main aim "is to take a break for a while".

"I've been on a schedule from when I've been 14 so I don't know what it's like not to be on one," he said.

"I'll go on a decent holiday and get into the workshop and get crafting things, using my hands and using my mind. Change it up a little bit."

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Munster have announced the signings of Leinster front-rowers Michael Milne and Lee Barron on two-year deals.

Loose-head prop Milne, 25, and hooker Barron, 23, will switch Irish provinces at the end of the season.

Milne has scored 12 tries in 47 appearances for Leinster since making his debut as an Academy player in 2019.

He represented Emerging Ireland in 2022 and has twice been called up to train with the Ireland senior squad.

Barron represented Ireland at Under-20 level and contributed three tries in 22 appearances since making his bow for Leinster against the Sharks in 2022.

He has spent the past five years at Leinster and scored one try in six appearances so far this campaign.

Versatile Academy prop Kieran Ryan, who has played for Munster 11 times, will move up to a development contract next year and will progress to a senior contract for 2026-27.

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Leinster (15) 36

Tries: A Osborne 2, Sheehan 2, Barrett Cons: Byrne 4 Pen: Byrne

Stormers (7) 12

Tries: Loader, Roos Con: Libbok

Ireland hooker Dan Sheehan scored twice on his return from injury as Leinster defeated the Stormers 36-12 in Dublin.

Sheehan was making his first appearance of the season after sustaining a knee injury in Ireland's summer tour of South Africa.

After taking a lead through Ross Byrne's early penalty, Leinster's first try came when Andrew Osborne raced over in the corner after being fed by Jordie Barrett.

The Stormers responded when Ben Loader scampered over out wide but the hosts had the final say in the half.

After a lengthy delay to treat the injured Luke McGrath, who gave the thumbs up after being stretchered off, Leinster struck with the clock in the red as Sheehan rounded off a flowing move in the corner.

After an error-strewn start to the second half, New Zealand centre Barrett spotted a gap to slide over the line in the 59th minute, and Byrne added the conversion.

Sheehan secured the bonus point four minutes later when he gathered James Lowe's cross-field kick to score unchallenged.

Lowe, who was also making his return from injury, had a try disallowed but wing Osborne, brother of Ireland international Jamie, grabbed his second score of the game as he intercepted the ball on the Stormers line before diving over to touch down.

The Stormers grabbed a consolation through back row Evan Roos but could not stop Leinster's winning run this season.

Leo Cullen's side are unbeaten in 10 matches in the United Rugby Championship and topped Pool B in the Investec Champions Cup with four wins from four matches.

Sheehan and Lowe will now link up with Simon Easterby's Ireland squad in Portugal before the start of the Six Nations.

Leinster: H McErlean; A Osborne, L Turner, J Barrett, J Lowe; R Byrne, L McGrath; J Boyle, D Sheehan (capt), R Slimani; R Snyman, B Deeny; A Soroka, S Penny, M Deegan.

Replacements: J McKee, P McCarthy, R McGuire, D Mangan, J Culhane, W Connors, C Foley, C Tector.

Stormers: W Gelant; B Loader; R Nel, J Roche; L Zas; M Libbok, P de Wet; A Vermaak, J Dweba, N Fouche; JD Schickerling, R van Heerden; D Fourie (capt), B-J Dixon, E Roos.

Replacements: A-H Venter, B Harris, F Malherbe, S Moerat, M Theunissen, P de Villiers, H Jantjies, W Simelane.

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Dan Sheehan will captain Leinster in Saturday's United Rugby Championship game against the Stormers (17:00 GMT) on his return from an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

It will be the Ireland hooker's first appearance of the season, having suffered the injury during Ireland's defeat by South Africa in July.

Winger James Lowe is also restored to the line-up after recovering from the calf problem that has kept him out since Ireland's win over Australia in November.

Sheehan and Lowe are due to link up with Ireland's Six Nations squad at their training camp in Portugal on Sunday.

Back row Will Connors is named among the replacements having also recovered from injury.

With the bulk of his squad already in Ireland camp, Leinster head coach Leo Cullen has been forced into making wholesale changes to the side that beat Bath in the Champions Cup last weekend.

However, prop Jack Boyle - the only uncapped player in Ireland's Six Nations squad - starts while Cullen has been able to retain seasoned internationals Rabah Slimani, Jordie Barrett and RG Snyman.

Table-toppers Leinster have won all 13 of their games in the URC and Champions Cup this season. The Stormers are 10th in the URC with four wins and four defeats and were knocked out of the Champions Cup last weekend.

Leinster: H McErlean; A Osborne, L Turner, J Barrett, J Lowe; R Byrne, L McGrath; J Boyle, D Sheehan (capt), R Slimani; R Snyman, B Deeny; A Soroka, S Penny, M Deegan.

Replacements: J McKee, P McCarthy, R McGuire, D Mangan, J Culhane, W Connors, C Foley, C Tector.

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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.

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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.

La Rochelle: Dulin; Nowell; Seuteni, Favre; Leyds; Hastoy, Kerr-Barlow; Wardi, Lespiaucq, Atonio; Lavault, Douglas; Boudehent, Jegou, Alldritt (capt).

Replacements: Clavier, Nail, Garnier, Marchais, Boichot, Kamoto, Thomas, Obiang Hguema.

Leinster: Barrett; J O'Brien; Ringrose, Henshaw; J Osbourne; Prendergast, Gibson-Park; Healy, Kelleher, Furlong; J McCarthy, Ryan; Baird, van der Flier, Doris (capt).

Replacements: G McCarthy, Porter, Silmani, Snyman, Conan, McGrath, Byrne, Frawley.

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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.

La Rochelle: Dulin; Nowell; Seuteni, Favre; Leyds; Hastoy, Kerr-Barlow; Wardi, Lespiaucq, Atonio; Lavault, Douglas; Boudehent, Jegou, Alldritt (capt).

Replacements: Clavier, Nail, Garnier, Marchais, Boichot, Kamoto, Thomas, Obiang Hguema.

Leinster: J Osborne; T O'Brien; Ringrose, Henshaw; J O'Brien; Prendergast, Gibson-Park; Healy, Kelleher, Furlong; J McCarthy, Ryan; Baird, van der Flier, Doris (capt).

Replacements: G McCarthy, Porter, Silmani, Snyman, Conan, McGrath, Byrne, Barrett.