IRELAND AND LEINSTER WINGER, James Lowe, will not feature in Leinster's Champions Cup semi-final against Toulouse this weekend after failing to overcome a calf injury.
The Leinster star sustained the injury in the win over Leicester Tigers two weeks ago and is one of several players who will miss the game against the Top 14 side. Jordan Larmour is expected to replace Lowe.
Speaking to the media yesterday, Cullen said, "James didn't feature much for us during the pool stages. He went back to New Zealand for rounds three and four.
"You see, the other guys, Jimmy O'Brien has been good for us this year, Hugo Keenan, and Jordan Larmour was unlucky to miss out in some of those games.
"He played in the last-16 game, missing out on the quarter-final. The competition is good there, and we're reasonably comfortable there."
🏉 | #LeinsterRugby Head Coach Leo Cullen has confirmed that both Ed Byrne and Rhys Ruddock are ruled out of this weekend's @ChampionsCup Semi-Final against @StadeToulousain.
See the full injury update here 👉 https://t.co/cbqbjp0nV4#LEIvTOU #FromTheGroundUp pic.twitter.com/wEVs7xnUdn— Leinster Rugby (@leinsterrugby) April 24, 2023
The United Rugby Championship leaders will also be without Johnny Sexton, Ronan Kellher, Rhys Ruddock, Ed Byrne, Jamie Osborne, and others for the game this weekend.
However, there is slightly more positive news for Leinster as Ryan Baird and Josh van der Flier will step up their rehabilitations this week.
Baird is aiming to recover from a shoulder injury, and a final decision on his availability will be made later in the week.
Likewise, Van der Flier is looking to overcome an ankle injury, and a final decision on his availability will also be made later in the week.
Kick-off at the Aviva is at 3pm this Saturday, and you can watch the game live on RTÉ2 and BT Sport 3.
Full teams will be announced closer to the game.
