Ireland and Leinster forward Will Connors to miss rest of season with injury

Leinster and Ireland flanker Will Connors is out for the rest of the season following a review of his knee injury.

The 25-year-old suffered knee ligament damage against Cardiff at the end of January and was subsequently ruled out for eight to ten weeks.

However, the latest medical update from the URC champions reveals the wing forward, who won nine Ireland caps since making his debut in October 2020, will play no further role this season.

Team-mate Dan Leavy returns to training this week following his recovery from a wrist injury suffered in training in January.

A decision on the flanker's involvement against the Emirates Lions on Friday night at the RDS (7.35pm) will be made later in the week.

Rory O'Loughlin (illness) and Vakh Abdaladze (neck) may also be involved with Leo Cullen giving the duo time to prove their fitness this week.

Rhys Ruddock (quad), James Lowe (hamstring) and Jimmy O'Brien (calf) came through the win over Ospreys on Saturday with no issues with the latter two now joining the Ireland squad ahead of their clash with Italy.

Follow all of Ireland v Italy (Sunday, 3pm) via our live blog on rte.ie/sport and on the RTÉ News App or listen to live radio coverage on RTÉ Radio 1. Highlights on Against the Head, Mondays, 8pm.