'It's a great boost for us' - Leinster boss Leo Cullen on Tadhg Furlong

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