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Ireland trio ruled out of Leinster's Champions Cup opener
By Josh Raisey
Leinster head coach Leo Cullen has confirmed that flanker Will Connors will miss their Investec Champions Cup opener against Bristol Bears at Ashton Gate on Sunday after picking up a hamstring injury in the United Rugby Championship win over Ulster.
The 28-year-old will join Tadhg Furlong and Jamie Osborne on the sidelines, who have failed to recover from a hamstring injury and groin injury that plagued them during the Autumn Nations Series with Ireland.
While the absence of these three players is a blow to Cullen’s plans, the good news is that Leinster will welcome back a number of key figures to the fold.
Jordan Larmour, Jimmy O’Brien, Lee Barron, and Jack Conan have all come through their respective injuries without issue, putting them in contention for selection against the Bears.
There’s also positive news on the injury front with Paddy McCarthy and Tommy O’Brien both having returned to full training, while Ryan Baird has completed the graduated return to play protocols and is available for selection.
Elsewhere in the squad, both Dan Sheehan and Rob Russell remain unavailable for selection.
Sunday's encounter promises to be one of the best fixtures of the opening round with both sides flying high currently.
The free-scoring Bears sit in second place in the Gallagher Premiership, while Leinster are at the summit of the URC standings after an unbeaten start to their campaign.
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Latest Comments
The one main attribute of captain is being a nailed on starter, a la Johnston, LOL, etc.
Go to commentsThe most important thing when selecting a 13 will always be does he have skills that compliment his 12? The midfield is the single most important combination on the pitch and the selection of the 12 and 13 should be considered in tandem, not individually.
What is very clear is Jordie Barrett and Rieko Ioane have poor chemistry and do not compliment each other's skill set. One or both needs to be dropped from the starting midfield permanently.
Jordie has demonstrated he has the skills to be a world class playmaking 12 but he will never be Ma'a Nonu or Tana Umaga or Nganai Laumape, who could break the line with power almost at will.
Therefore, a big power runner at 13 like Fainga'anuka to play with Barrett at 12 seems like a possible world class combo.
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