Leinster have been boosted by the return to fitness of Ireland wing James Lowe ahead of this weekend’s Champions Cup final against La Rochelle.
Following the 16-15 loss to Munster in the United Rugby Championship semi-final, boss Leo Cullen has provided an injury update ahead of Leinster’s final game of the season.
James Lowe back to full fitness
Lowe has recovered from a calf injury that kept him sidelined since the European quarter-final clash with Leicester Tigers last month.
However, the wing is back to full fitness, and the province confirmed that he was part of the extended matchday squad against Munster at the weekend.
Lowe’s return from injury is a boost for Leinster with flanker Scott Penny, who missed the game against Munster, also back in the reckoning following a head injury.
Meanwhile, Will Connors has started his return-to-play protocols and is unavailable for the final. He sustained a head injury in the match’s opening minutes and is subsequently ruled out of the clash with Ronan O’Gara’s side.
Leinster added that prop Cian Healy (ankle), hooker Ronan Kelleher (shoulder) and centre Robbie Henshaw (quad) all got through Saturday’s game with no issues after recovering from their respective injuries.
There were no further updates for Vakhtang Abdaladze (neck), Ed Byrne (tricep), Rhys Ruddock (hamstring), Johnny Sexton (groin), Jamie Osborne (knee) and Martin Moloney (knee), who will all miss the clash against La Rochelle.
Montpellier defeat La Rochelle
La Rochelle head into the match off the back of a 42-31 loss to Montpellier in the Top 14.
Much like Leinster, O’Gara opted to rest a host of frontline players, with Will Skelton, Gregory Alldritt, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Antoine Hastoy, Ulupano Seuteni and Brice Dulin all missing the game.
Centre Jonathan Danty did start the match as he works his way back to full fitness ahead of the final in Dublin.
The two sides have met twice in the Champions Cup, with the French team coming out on top on both occasions, defeating the Irish province 33-32 in the 2020/21 semi-final and 24-21 in last season’s final.
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