Leinster to Porter for URC final against Bulls

Leinster will have to defend their United Rugby Championship title on Friday night without star loosehead prop Andrew Porter, adding injury concerns to the challenge of facing a motivated Bulls team seeking its first trophy. The final will kick off at 7:30 p.m. local time on June 19 at Croke Park in Dublin.

Porter suffered a calf injury during Leinster's semifinal victory over the Stormers, and the province confirmed on Monday that he is unavailable. His absence further strains Leinster's resources at loosehead, with Paddy McCarthy and Jack Boyle also sidelined, potentially forcing coach Leo Cullen to turn to experienced options like Ed Byrne.

The timing of the injury is particularly concerning given the Bulls' formidable scrum, which features powerful tightheads Wilco Louw and Francois Klopper. Leinster's front-row woes are compounded by fitness doubts over captain and No. 8 Caelan Doris and hooker Dan Sheehan. Both players participated in Monday's training session but will be assessed throughout the week. In better news for the Dublin side, tighthead Tadhg Furlong appears available for selection after missing the quarterfinal and semifinal.

Leinster wing Tommy O'Brien said his...