JAMES LOWE WILL be available to make his European Champions Cup debut for Leinster when they take on Exeter Chiefs at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.
The 25-year-old Kiwi scored two tries against Benetton Rugby in his first appearance for the province in the Guinness Pro14 earlier this month, but he wasn’t registered for Sunday’s impressive European win against Exeter at Sandy Park.
However, Lowe will be available to Leo Cullen for this weekend’s visit of the English champions to Dublin. It was confirmed this afternoon that the wing/full-back is one of Leinster’s 41 registered players for the round-four clash, taking the place of Rhys Ruddock in a squad which will be trimmed to 23 for matchday.
Leinster’s in-form flanker had to be replaced in the early stages of Sunday’s win in Exeter due to a hamstring injury. The Evening Herald today reported that Ruddock has suffered a grade-three hamstring tear, causing concerns that he could be sidelined for the rest of the season.
Meanwhile, Australian international hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau will be available for Leicester Tigers when they bid for revenge against Munster at Welford Road on Sunday. The veteran Wallaby recently signed a two-and-a-half-year deal with Matt O’Connor’s side, who lost 33-10 at Thomond Park last weekend.
Leicester have also added young English lock Joe Maksymiw to their squad, with Jake Kerr and Dan Tuohy subsequently being deregistered.
