Champions Cup: Props to miss Leinster’s La Rochelle game as Munster’s Irish internationals return

Leinster’s front row depth will be tested against La Rochelle in Saturday’s Champions Cup meeting at the Aviva Stadium while Munster have recalled four Irish internationals for their trip to Toulon on Sunday.

Leinster come into the game against Ronan O’Gara’s Top 14 outfit (17:30 GMT) having won seven consecutive games in all competitions, but will be without Ireland props Andrew Porter and Tadhg Furlong in what is a repeat of the European finals of 2022 and 2023.

Sam Prendergast has been preferred to Harry Byrne at fly-half, but wing James Lowe, centre Garry Ringrose and lock RG Snyman will all also miss the pool-stage fixture in Dublin.

In Porter and Furlong’s absences, Paddy McCarthy and Thomas Clarkson will start at loose head and tight head prop respectively.

Rabah Slimani and Jack Boyle are also absent, meaning that neither of Leinster’s replacement props, Andrew Sparrow and Jerry Chair, have featured before in the Champions Cup.

In Lowe’s absence, in-form wing Joshua Kenny, who was only added to the four-time winners’ European squad this week, remains in the number 11 jersey.

Jamison Gibson-Park, Ciaran Frawley, Rieko Ioane and Tommy O’Brien all keep their places after last weekend’s comprehensive win over Connacht, with fit-again Robbie Henshaw coming into the midfield.

Despite the absentees, Leo Cullen is still able to field a pack all capped by Ireland with Dan Sheehan starting at hooker between McCarthy and Clarkson.

Joe McCarthy and James Ryan are in the second row, while Jack Conan, Josh van der Flier and captain Caelan Doris make up the loose forward trio.