Hugo Keenan and James Lowe miss opening URC fixtures for Leinster but Ronan Kelleher and Will Connors to return

Hugo Keenan and James Lowe will miss the opening weeks of Leinster's 2022-23 URC campaign due to injury.

The duo were two of the stars of Ireland's tour series victory over New Zealand in July.

However full-back Keenan is rehabbing a knee and abdominal issue and will be unavailable for a number of weeks, according to the province.

READ MORE: Munster's United Rugby Championship opener put back a day due to King Charles' visit to Cardiff

And winger Lowe has suffered a calf injury in training and will also be absent for a number of weeks.

Meanwhile hooker James Tracy underwent neck surgery over the summer and will be unavailable for four months and 23-year-old winger Liam Turner sustained a foot injury in training and will be out for four weeks.

Leinster, who last season failed to lift the championship trophy for the first time since 2017, will also be without Joe McCarthy and Jordan Larmour for the game.

Second row McCarthy had an ankle procedure over the summer but is due to increase his training load this week ahead of joining the squad fully next week.

Larmour is in a similar position having had a knee procedure over the summer.

However Leo Cullen can welcome back some big guns if he requires them for action, most notably hooker Rónan Kelleher, who has returned to full training with the squad after recovering from a shoulder injury that cost him his place in New Zealand.

Will Connors, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in February, is also back on stream, as is veteran winger Dave Kearney after a hamstring injury.

Ross Byrne could start in the no 10 jersey having recovered from a foot injury.

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