Cullen issues injury update ahead URC opener against Lions

Leinster Rugby Head Coach Leo Cullen has issued an injury update ahead of Saturday’s BKT United Rugby Championship season opener against 10bet Lions at Ellis Park (KO: 12.30pm Irish time / 1.30pm local time, live on TG4 and Premier Sports 1).

Cullen confirmed a 41-man squad for the first two rounds of action down in South Africa last Friday, with Leinster taking on the Lions this Saturday before travelling to Durban to face the Sharks the following week.

Andrew Porter has returned to full training this week following calf injury and Tommy O’Brien has returned to full training this week following an injury to his groin.

New signing Joey Carbery, who returned to the province over the summer, will step up his training involvement this week as part of his return from an ACL injury.

Jamison Gibson-Park (minor groin injury), Cormac Foley (calf), Jordan Larmour (calf), Diarmuid Mangan (foot) and James Culhane (hamstring) are all unavailable for selection.

There are no further updates on Jack Boyle, RG Snyman, Caelan Doris and Paddy McCarthy.