Leinster suffer major Andrew Porter blow ahead of Bulls URC final clash

Leo Cullen's charges will attempt to defend their title on Friday evening but will do so without the services of first-choice loosehead prop Andrew Porter.

The Ireland and Lions front-rower sustained a calf injury during the URC semi-final victory over the Stormers, and Leinster have confirmed that he will not be available for selection.

Porter's absence further stretches Leinster's loosehead resources with Paddy McCarthy and Jack Boyle still sidelined. Meanwhile, tighthead Tadhg Furlong was not mentioned in the injury update, suggesting that he could be in the mix to face the Bulls after missing the quarter-final and semi-final.

The loosehead's absence is even more concerning for Leinster, considering that the Irish province will front up against a powerhouse Bulls scrum powered by Springboks star Wilco Louw and the in-form Francois Klopper, who shone in the quarter-final victory over Connacht. So much so that he was handed the starting jumper against Glasgow Warriors despite Louw's return from illness.

Leinster could also be without the services of captain Caelan Doris and star hooker Dan Sheehan. The former picked up a knee injury against the Stormers and was seen sporting a brace on his leg during Leinster's awards evening. According to RTE Sport, he did partake in Monday afternoon's training at UCD.

Sheehan also partook in training, but the province states that a decision on his and Doris' availability will be made later in the week. The hooker missed the last-four clash with the Stormers due to injury.

Leinster added that there are no further updates on Ryan Baird, Jack Boyle, Will Connors, Hugh Cooney, RG Snyman, Charlie Tector and Paddy McCarthy, who will all miss the showpiece fixture.

The injuries will also concern Ireland head coach Andy Farrell, who is set to name his team for the Nations Championship matches on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the Bulls have been boosted by the long-awaited return of hooker Akker van der Merwe, who hasn't played since January. Johan Ackermann named a travelling squad that consists of 17 Springboks. The squad departed for Dublin on Monday.

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