Leinster issue RG Snyman, James Ryan updates as young lock's season ended

Leinster have issued a squad update ahead of Saturday’s Investec Champions Cup semi-final against Northampton Saints at Aviva Stadium.

The Irish province lost for only the second time this season, against Welsh URC outfit Scarlets. The 35-22 defeat has also added another player to the long-term injury list.

In good news, head coach Leo Cullen confirmed that Springbok lock RG Snyman has returned to full training and is available for selection after recovering from injury.

Ryan Baird, who also recently returned from a lay-off, also came through last weekend’s match without issue and is fit for the semi-final.

Ireland second-row James Ryan and winger Rob Russell will both be “further assessed” this week as they continue their respective recoveries. Both players are aiming to increase their training loads, with decisions on their availability to be made closer to the match.

However, there is bad news for rookie second-row Brian Deeny, who was injured early in Leinster’s URC loss to Scarlets in Llanelli.

The province have confirmed that Deeny has been ruled out for the remainder of the season. The second row will undergo a procedure on a knee injury following an awkward contact during the match.

Back-row Will Connors also remains unavailable due to an arm injury picked up in the loss and will be assessed further.

There’s no news on sometime Ireland international Jordan Larmour, who hasn’t featured for Leinster since they played Munster in December due to a hamstring injury.