James Ryan back to captain Leinster side shorn of key players

The province has been beset by Covid and, while Leo Cullen has 16 internationals on duty, he is missing a rake of others for the planned trip to Montpellier

James Ryan at Leinster Rugby Squad Training, Energia Park, Donnybrook, 

Leinster’s Heineken Champions Cup tie away to Montpellier remains on course, for now, despite recent Covid complications with James Ryan set to make his return as captain and the squad due to fly out to France tomorrow morning.

The province has been beset by the virus since at least late last week and, while Leo Cullen has named 16 internationals across his 23, he is missing a rake of players who would be deemed regulars and who had not previously been listed as injured.