Centre Conor O’Brien has been added to Leinster’s European squad ahead of Saturday’s Heineken Champions Cup clash with Toulouse (kick-off 1pm).
The promising midfielder, try scorer and man-of-the-match against Ulster last weekend, takes the place of injured Joe Tomane who has been de-registered.
The 22-year-old was singled out for special praise by head coach Leo Cullen, who suggested that O’Brien could well feature against the four-time champions this weekend.
The Mullingar native admitted that the prospect of playing in Europe’s premier club competition was something special
"Playing in front of a full house in the RDS in the Champions Cup . . . if I didn’t say I dreamt about that, I’d be lying to you," he said in the aftermath of the 40-7 victory over Ulster at the RDS.
Meanwhile Connacht winger Cian Kelleher is set for a Leinster return next season after three years in Galway, as Connacht Rugby confirmed to RTÉ Sport that he is leaving the Sportsground.
The 24-year-old has enjoyed a successful spell out west since deciding to leave the Leinster academy in 2016, after being offered a promotion into the senior squad, but is now returning to the RDS for the 2019-20 season.
After overcoming an injury-interrupted first year with Connacht, Kelleher has impressed in green, becoming a key figure in head coach Andy Friend’s first-team plans.
The Dubliner featured in all three interpros over the festive period, scoring tries in the defeats to Leinster and Munster, and has made 44 appearances since joining the province in 2016.
