McCarthy ruled out for the season

Leinster second-row Mike McCarthy has been ruled out for the rest of the season due to back and injury problems.

The 35-year-old had surgery in recent days on a disc injury in his back and although recovering well, he will not be back in time for the end of season run-in. He is also seeking further intervention for an injury to his elbow.

As a result, McCarthy has played his last game for the Irish province having confirmed last month that he is joining French club Narbonne in the summer. 

The London-born second-row won a PRO12 title with Leinster in his first season in 2013/14, lining out in the number five jersey in the 34-12 final win against Glasgow Warriors.

In other injury news, Leinster senior coach Stuart Lancaster explained that Adam Byrne and Dominic Ryan both came through the PRO12 derby victory over Connacht at the weekend showing no ill-effects from the hamstring and knee injuries that had kept them out of contention recently. 

Both players are available for selection for Sunday's Champions Cup semi-final with Clermont in Lyon.