LEO Cullen and Leinster will be without three of their stars for this weekend’s Champions Cup opener.
The 2024 runners-up face Bristol in the competition this weekend but they’ll be with three Ireland stars.
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Leinster head coach Leo Cullen will be without key players for the Champions Cup opener
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Tadhg Furlong is one of three players ruled out of selection
Tadhg Furlong, Jamie Osborne and Will Connors have been ruled out of the Round 1 match against Bristol Bears at Ashton Gate Stadium this Sunday.
Wexford prop Furlong has been dealing with a long-standing hamstring issue and hasn’t played since October.
Will Connors picked up a hamstring injury in the win over Ulster and while Jamie Osborne is still of after getting hurt during the Autumn Nations Series.
It’s not all doom and gloom for Leo Cullen’s side as Ryan Baird has come through Play Protocols, and is available for selection after sustaining a concussion on Ireland duty.
Jordan Larmour, Jimmy O’Brien, Lee Barron and Jack Conan all came through the Ulster URC clash last weekend after returning from injury.
While new signing Jordie Barrett could be available for selection after his move to the province.
Elsewhere, Jordie Barrett reveals he received ‘royal treatment’ from Tadhg Furlong after Leinster his short-term move.
received a rapturous welcoming from a former foe when he touched down for the first time in Ireland as a Leinster player.
The All Black finally joined up with the Leinster side last week following the culmination of New Zealand’s 2024 season, which included a 23-13 win over Ireland in the Aviva Stadium.
In his first interview as a Leinster player, Barrett talked his arrival and first week in Dublin following the Autumn Nations Series and mentioned the special treatment he got.
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He said: “Yeah it’s great to be here, got the royal treatment, got picked up at the airport by Tadhg Furlong so it’s great to be welcomed by someone like that.
“It’s nice to be able to rub shoulders with a lot of boys.
“This week the internationals are away so seen plenty of fresh faces in and around the environment.
“It’s a special time that I’m much looking forward to.”
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