Leinster update confirms when ‘final decision’ for URC decider will be taken on their four injured British and Irish Lions
Leinster duo Hugo Keenan (left) and Garry Ringrose
Leinster have reported that their four injured British and Irish Lions picks are still all in with a chance of featuring in Saturday’s United Rugby Championship (URC) final against the Bulls.
Tadhg Furlong hasn’t played since the May 3 Champions Cup semi-final loss to Northampton (he was an unused sub for the May 17 URC match versus Glasgow), Garry Ringrose has been sidelined since the May 10 league win over Zebre, while Josh van der Flier and Hugo Keenan last featured in the URC quarter-final win over Scarlets.
All four were marked absent from last Saturday’s semi-final win over Glasgow, but Leinster have now suggested they could yet feature in the Croke Park final as further assessments are due later in the week.
The four injury concerns have cast a shadow over Leinster’s 12-strong representation on the 2025 Lions tour. With the Irish province having reached the URC final, the Lions will fly out from Dublin without them on Tuesday for this week’s warm-weather training camp in Portugal.
All four will be “further assessed”
Andy Farrell’s squad are set for six days of training at Quinta do Lago before they return to Dublin to complete preparations for the June 20 tour send-off match against Argentina at Aviva Stadium.
A Leinster statement read: “Tommy O’Brien came through the game at the weekend with no issues and is available for selection while Jordan Larmour is available for selection after being part of the extended match day squad at the weekend.
“Tadhg Furlong, Garry Ringrose and Hugo Keenan will all be further assessed this week for calf injuries while Josh van der Flier will be further assessed for a hamstring injury before a final decision will be made on their availability for Saturday’s final.
“There are no further updates on Will Connors, Brian Deeny, Caelan Doris and Robbie Henshaw.”
The Lions’ 12-strong Leinster representation, along with the English Premiership final contingent consisting of Bath’s Finn Russell and Will Stuart, along with Leicester’s Ollie Chessum, will link up with Farrell and co at the start of next week.
