Leinster Injury Update: Four Players Return, Doris & Keenan Still Out

JoeNa Connacht — Mon, 22 Sep 2025 13:41:51 +0000

Leinster Injury Update: Big Boost as Four Stars Return

Leinster have been handed a timely boost ahead of the new BKT United Rugby Championship season, with Will Connors, Brian Deeny, Jordan Larmour, and Robbie Henshaw all declared fit and available for selection. The quartet missed the tail end of last season’s run-in through injury but are now back in full training.

Unavailable for Selection:

Caelan Doris – Continues to rehab a shoulder injury and is not expected back for the first few rounds.
Joe McCarthy – Underwent a procedure on a foot injury and will also miss the opening rounds.
Hugo Keenan – Had a groin procedure and is expected to be sidelined for up to three months.

The return of Henshaw and Larmour in particular will give Leinster a major boost in the backline, while Connors’ defensive steel and Deeny’s work in the engine room will strengthen Leo Cullen’s options up front. Leinster open their URC campaign with a tricky away trip and will be eager to get off to a winning start despite the absence of key men like Doris, McCarthy, and Keenan.

Fans will be encouraged to see the depth of the squad tested early, as younger players look to take their chance in the opening rounds before Ireland’s internationals return later in the season.

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Leinster Rugby Academy: Josh Neill to join in early 2026

JoeNa Connacht — Tue, 09 Sep 2025 16:23:27 +0000

Academy News

Josh Neill to join Leinster Rugby Academy in early 2026

Irish-qualified back-row added to the Year One intake; arrival scheduled after he completes his school year in South Africa.

Academy 2025/26
Back-row Forward
Irish-qualified

Announcement

Leinster Rugby Academy Manager, Simon Broughton, has confirmed that Josh Neill has been added to the Year One Academy intake and will link up with Leinster Rugby in the early months of 2026. Neill, an Irish-qualified back-row, currently attends Rondebosch Boys’ High School in Cape Town and was recently named in the South Africa U-18 squad for their summer series against France, England and Ireland.

Neill plays his club rugby with Western Province. His older brother, Jordan, is already based in Ireland and currently plays cricket with the Northern Knights. Jordan has represented Ireland U-19s and made his senior Ireland debut in a One Day International against the West Indies earlier this summer.

Back-row prospect Josh Neill will arrive in early 2026 to join Leinster’s Academy group.

Leinster Rugby Academy 2025/26

Year One

Player	AIL Club
Tadhg Brophy	Naas RFC
Jack Deegan	Blackrock College RFC
Connor Fahy	Clontarf FC
Páidí Farrell	Old Wesley RFC
Lee Fitzpatrick	Blackrock College RGC
Todd Lawlor	Lansdowne FC
Ciarán Mangan	Blackrock College RFC
Alex Mullan	Blackrock College RFC
Josh Neill	TBC
Mahon Ronan	Old Wesley RFC

Year Two

Player	AIL Club
Oliver Coffey	Blackrock College RFC
Billy Corrigan	Old Wesley RFC
Caspar Gabriel	Terenure College RFC
Hugo McLaughlin	Lansdowne FC
Ruben Moloney	UCD RFC
Alan Spicer	Clontarf FC
Andrew Sparrow	St Mary’s College RFC
Stephen Smyth	Old Wesley RFC

Year Three

Player	AIL Club
Henry McErlean	Terenure College RFC
Liam Molony	Lansdowne FC
Conor O’Tighearnaigh	UCD RFC

All clubs listed are Energia All-Ireland League (AIL) affiliates where applicable.

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