Leinster Rugby have suffered a major injury setback ahead of Saturday’s Investec Champions Cup semi-final against Toulon.
Tighthead prop Tadhg Furlong lost his race to be fit for the blockbuster clash at the Aviva Stadium.
Furlong limped off during Leinster’s Vodacom URC defeat to Benetton last weekend and has now officially been ruled out, with Tom Clarkson promoted to the starting XV.
RINGROSE: Leinster driven by heartbreak
There is, however, a timely boost for the Irish giants with fullback Hugo Keenan returning to the side, while experienced midfield duo Garry Ringrose and Robbie Henshaw reunite in midfield.
All Black star Rieko Ioane shifts to the left wing after featuring at centre last week, while influential scrumhalf Jamison Gibson-Park starts alongside flyhalf Harry Byrne.
Leinster will once again lean heavily on their powerful loose trio of captain Caelan Doris, Jack Conan and Josh van der Flier as they chase a place in the final in Bilbao.
LEINSTER – 15 Hugo Keenan, 14 Tommy O’Brien, 13 Garry Ringrose, 12 Robbie Henshaw, 11 Rieko Ioane, 10 Harry Byrne, 9 Jamison Gibson-Park, 8 Caelan Doris (c), 7 Josh van der Flier, 6 Jack Conan, 5 James Ryan, 4 Joe McCarthy, 3 Tom Clarkson, 2 Dan Sheehan, 1 Andrew Porter.
Bench: 16 Rónan Kelleher, 17 Jerry Cahir, 18 Rabah Slimani, 19 Alex Soroka, 20 Scott Penny, 21 Luke McGrath, 22 Sam Prendergast, 23 Jamie Osborne.
Allez, Allez
Here is our team to take on @RCTofficiel in the @ChampionsCup Semi-Final tomorrow afternoon
pic.twitter.com/CPkX0fRiZp
— Leinster Rugby (@leinsterrugby) May 1, 2026
Photo: Charles McQuillan/Getty Images
The post Leinster lose key star ahead of Toulon showdown appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
