Sidelined for longer than initially anticipated, Tadhg Furlong's return for Leinster is a "great boost", says head coach Leo Cullen.
The 32-year-old Ireland and Lions tighthead has been out of action since the province beat Munster in the United Rugby Championship match at Croke Park on 12 October.
Ireland boss Andy Farrell had hoped to give the Wexford man, who became a father recently, some game time in the Autumn Nations Series but he remained sidelined throughout with a hamstring injury and also sat out two Investec Champions Cup and two Interpro fixtures in December.
But Furlong was earlier named in the starting side to take on La Rochelle on Sunday, (3.15pm, live on RTÉ Radio 1) in Pool 2.
"He got injured with us initially and then was trying to get back for the internationals during November," Cullen explained to RTÉ Sport about the extended lay-off.
"It was more his calf, I think, was the issue than...in camp and then coming back from camp."
He is in line for his 150th Leinster appearance when he runs out at a sold-out Stade Marcel-Deflandre.
"Listen, everyone was very cautious in terms of his return so he’s had a few weeks of training under his belt, which has been great and sets him up well for the game," added Cullen, whose side beat Ronan O’Gara’s team twice last season.
"It’s going to be a great challenge. He’s a big-game player, has tonnes of experience, it’s a great boost for us to have him back.
"It’s not like it’s a rush job to get him back, it’s been the absolute opposite, everyone has been very patient to get him back to his point.
"Hopefully he’ll go well so that’s the thing.
"These are the games you want to be involved with. For all the different opinions of the format of the competition and the way the pool stages are, this is a proper game and everyone is excited for it."
Scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park is also in line for a 150th cap, while Hugo Keenan and Ciarán Frawley, both fit after injuries, will travel to the French coast as non-playing reserves.
The teams have built up an intriguing rivalry with Sunday’s clash their sixth since 2021.
While Leinster have won 11 from 11 this season, the French side, missing centre Teddy Thomas and hooker Tolu Latu through suspension, are struggling in the Top14 but have claimed two victories from two in the Champions Cup to date.
"We are up against a proper team with so much experience and they are a crafty bunch," said the former Ireland lock.
"They have a good understanding of what they want to do there and they have proved across the last few seasons that they have lots of big-game players there.
"They have tonnes of experience if you go through the line-up. They are able to recruit from four corners of the globe.
"It’s a proper test for our guys."
Former Ireland lock Ultan Dillane starts on the bench for the hosts, while Will Skelton is out injured.
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