Leinster's Hugo Keenan and James Lowe to miss start of United Rugby Championship season

Leinster duo Hugo Keenan and James Lowe will miss the opening rounds of the new UTK United Rugby Championship season due to injury.

Leinster said the Ireland internationals, who played key roles in July's series win in New Zealand, will be sidelined for 'a number of weeks'.

Keenan is rehabbing a knee and abdominal issue while Lowe suffered a calf injury in training.

The pair would not have featured in Saturday's URC opener against Zebre Parma due to their Ireland exploits this summer but they are unlikely to be fit in time for Leinster's first interprovincial derby of the season against Ulster on 30 September.

Hooker James Tracy will be sidelined for the rest of 2022 after undergoing neck surgery during the summer, while back Liam Turner is out for four weeks with a foot injury.

In better news for Leo Cullen, Will Connors is in line to make his first appearance since February after recovering from a knee injury, with Rónan Kelleher, Dave Kearney and Ross Byrne also back in full training.

Joe McCarthy and Jordan Larmour, who both impressed in Ireland's tour matches against New Zealand Maori, are close to returning following ankle and knee operations respectively.

Leinster head coach Cullen said: "The start of the season is always lots of moving parts with players coming back in at different stages. Particularly off the back of a tour, some guys are getting managed a bit differently.

"We're just raring to go at this point. We've adjusted a few things. There are some different voices in the mix as well, which is positive.

"The group is ever-evolving, hopefully in a positive direction."

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