Leinster welcomes Porter back for Scarlets, Snyman expected to be out for 'weeks'

RETURN: Andrew Porter is fully fit and ready to face Scarlets in the URC. Pic: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

Tyler Bleyendaal has welcomed Andrew Porter’s return to full fitness as Leinster aim to get their United Rugby Championship campaign back on track against Scarlets at the Aviva Stadium this evening (kick-off 7.45pm).

Absent from the recently-completed Six Nations Championship owing to a calf injury, Porter has been named alongside fellow Ireland internationals Dan Sheehan and Tadhg Furlong in the front-row for Leinster's latest meeting with the Welsh region.

This will be his first appearance at provincial level since a URC triumph against Connacht on January 3 and with Ryan Baird also edging closer to match day selection following a long-term injury lay-off, Leinster are set to have a strong hand to pick from for the business end of the season.

“It’s always nice. We haven’t had a great run with injuries, but I feel like we’re getting a few bodies back now all around the same time. As much exposure as we can get them on the training pitch first and to coach them again [will be crucial],” assistant coach Bleyendaal remarked earlier this week.

Assistant Attack Coach Tyler Bleyendaal watches on during training. Pic: Grace Halton/Inpho

“Get them aligned to what we do and they’ll naturally bring their own talent and experience that they’ve got.” In addition to welcoming Porter back into the fold, tonight will also see Leinster reintroducing a number of players who featured prominently for Ireland in the Six Nations.

The international quartet of Tommy O’Brien, Garry Ringrose, Jamie Osborne and Jamison Gibson-Park are expected to add considerably to the Blues' back line, while the aforementioned duo of Sheehan and Furlong are joined by the likes of Joe McCarthy, Josh van der Flier and Caelan Doris in the scrum.

Following consecutive URC reversals to Cardiff and pace-setters Glasgow Warriors, fourth-place Leinster will be seeking a return to winning ways against a Scarlets side that are hoping to record just their fifth win of the league season.

“They’re a very dangerous team. I’ve had experiences with them last season and in the past, even back in my Munster days. They’re just dangerous, they can run from anywhere. I think their backs have been performing well, even in the Six Nations with Wales,” ex-Munster player Bleyendaal added.

“I think they marry that with a really tough kicking game to handle. We’re going to have to turn up. We’re going to have to be physical, we’re going to have to take some learnings from our Glasgow match and we’re looking forward to giving them a battle on Friday night.”

Meanwhile, the province expect to be without lock RG Snyman for "a few weeks" as Leo Cullen and co await results on a knee injury the South African picked up against Glasgow in last week's URC defeat.

LEINSTER: J O’Brien; T O’Brien, G Ringrose, J Osborne, J Kenny; H Byrne, J Gibson-Park; A Porter, D Sheehan, T Furlong; J McCarthy, B Deeny; M Deegan, J van der Flier, C Doris.

Replacements: G McCarthy, J Cahir, R Slimani, C O’Tighearnaigh, A Soroka, F Gunne, S Prendergast, R Henshaw.

SCARLETS: B Murray; T Rogers, J Roberts, J Williams, E Mee; J Hawkins, D Blacker; K Mathias, H Thomas, A Holz; S Lousi, M Douglas; J Taylor, D Davis, F Anderson.

Replacements: G Roberts, S O’Connor, H Thomas, J Ball, T Davies, A Hughes, I Jones, M Page.