Lowe boost for Leinster as Connors ruled out

Leinster's James Lowe is back in contention ffor Saturday's Heineken Champions Cup final but Will Connors has been ruled out.

Ireland wing Lowe has recovered from a calf injury that kept him sidelined since the quarter-final win over Leicester at the start of April, but the province confirmed on Monday afternoon that he is fit to play if selected against La Rochelle (4.45pm).

However, wing forward Connors, who suffered a head injury at the start of Saturday's BKT URC semi-final loss to Munster has entered the return-to-play protocols and is unavailable for the Aviva Stadium showdown against Ronan O’Gara’s defending champions.

Leo Cullen also confirmed that hooker Rónan Kelleher, centre Robbie Henshaw and prop Cian Healy came through the derby with no issues following recent injuries.

Flanker Scott Penny, who missed the game, is also back in the reckoning following a head injury.

Vakhtang Abdaladze (neck), Ed Byrne (tricep), Rhys Ruddock (hamstring), Johnny Sexton (groin), Jamie Osborne (knee), Martin Moloney (knee) all remain unavailable.