Leinster to face La Rochelle without Johnny Sexton

Leinster have confirmed that Johnny Sexton will not be in action when they take on La Rochelle in Sunday’s Champions Cup semi-final at the Stade Marcel Deflandre.

The Irish province’s head coach Leo Cullen issued an injury update on Tuesday, after the Rainbow Cup game against Munster at the weekend, and reported a clean bill of health for a number of players returning from injury as James Ryan, Garry Ringrose, Scott Penny and Tommy O’Brien all came through that fixture with no issues.

Will continue to train and be assessed

However, Sexton remains unavailable and will continue to train and be assessed as part of the graduated return to play process.

The 35-year-old failed to return from a Head Injury Assessment during Leinster’s quarter-final win over Exeter Chiefs and Cullen said he would not allow Sexton to make a hasty comeback as the player also sustained a couple of head injuries during the Six Nations.

Meanwhile, Ciarán Frawley is expected to return to training this week after being a late withdrawal from the game against Munster as a precaution with a minor hamstring concern.

Caelan Doris was also a late withdrawal from the starting XV but requires further assessment on the calf issue that forced his withdrawal before a final decision is made on his availability for the clash against La Rochelle.

It’s the same situation for Jamison Gibson-Park who is still being managed with a hamstring injury and will be further assessed this week ahead of selection.

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Harry Byrne was replaced early in the game against Munster with a hamstring injury and will be further assessed this week.

There was positive news for Jimmy O’Brien (hamstring) and Rowan Osborne (hand) as both players will enter the final stages of their return from injury this week and will be assessed as the week progresses.