Leo Cullen's Leinster counting cost of win in Bayonne

Leinster are counting the cost of their hard-fought 22-13 Investec Champions Cup win away to Aviron Bayonnais at the weekend.

Head coach Leo Cullen confirmed on Monday that four members of the starting side are now carrying fitness concerns ahead of Saturday’s BKT URC Round 10 clash with Stuart Lancaster’s Connacht at Dexcom Stadium.

Leinster emerged from a surprisingly demanding afternoon in the rain at Stade Jean Dauger with the result they needed to top Pool Three, having secured a home Round of 16 tie, but the win may well have come with a not insignificant price tag.

Fullback Jimmy O’Brien is “due to be further assessed on a hamstring injury”, with the Dublin-based side confirming that “a final decision on his availability will be made later in the week”. The same applies to Tommy O’Brien, who is facing further checks on a calf issue, with his status also to be determined later in the week.

Maybe more concerning is Tadhg Furlong. The British & Irish Lions tighthead was forced off in Bayonne and is “due to be further assessed on a calf injury before a final decision on his availability is made later in the week”, while Robbie Henshaw will undergo further assessment on a knee injury, with Leinster again stressing that a call on his availability will come later in the week.

There was more positive news elsewhere with uility back Ciarán Frawley and No.8 Jack Conan both due to return to training this week and expected to be available for selection against Connacht.

Hugo Keenan and Jamie Osborne continue to increase their “on-field training exposure” but will not be considered this weekend. There were no further updates provided on Ryan Baird, Jordan Larmour, Paddy McCarthy, Andrew Porter or Rabah Slimani.

The injury update follows a contest that required all of Leinster’s experience to see off a spirited Bayonne side.

The hosts struck first through Yohan Orabe, but Leinster gradually imposed themselves as the game wore on, even after losing Furlong early. After a tight first half and a prolonged arm-wrestle in difficult conditions, Leinster finally made their pressure tell late on. Tries from Sam Prendergast and Max Deegan in the final quarter swung the contest decisively in the visitors’ favour and ensured top spot in the pool.

Attention now turns to domestic matters and provincial rivals Connacht in Galway and a familiar face in their former coach, Lancaster.