RONAN O’Gara and La Rochelle have been dealt a second blow ahead of their Champions Cup clash against Leinster.
The French outfit will be without Tolu Latu for their fixture against Leo Cullen’s side this Sunday.
The former Australian international hooker was handed a three-match suspension following an incident in the club’s French Top 14 win over Toulouse last weekend.
The 31-year-old was initially shown a yellow card for a dangerous ruck clear-out that left Toulouse’s 19-year-old scrumhalf Simon Daroque injured.
Latu, who has started eight of La Rochelle’s 13 matches this season, has a history of poor discipline, including multiple red cards, one of which occurred while playing for Stade Français against Connacht.
The Tongan-born hooker earned 21 caps for the Wallabies during his international career from 2016 to 2021.
News of the hooker’s ban will come as more concern for their Irish boss Ronan O’Gara.
It’s the second player from the 2023 Champions Cup winners that will miss the game due to suspension.
Teddy Thomas was banned for this week’s European clash in France earlier this week.
The 31-year-old France international was further punished after a yellow-carded for a challenge on Clermont’s Theo Giral.
A review committee cited the incident, and the player received a four game ban.
Both Thomas will be missing for the Pool 2 rematch against Leo Cullen’s side next Sunday, who beat La Rochelle twice last season.
The teams have a lengthy history, with the French outfit beating Leinster in the 2022 and 2023 Champions Cup final.
Meanwhile, it’s good news for the four-time European Cup winners Leinster ahead of the clash against their rivals.
Hugo Keenan, Ciarán Frawley and Jack Conan are all available for selection.
Full-back Hugo Keenan is set to make his return to action for Leinster in Sunday’s clash for the first time since Ireland’s November victory over Australia.
Keenan sustained a wrist injury during the 22-19 win over the Wallabies at the Aviva Stadium.
Leinster also confirmed the availability of Jack Conan, Ciarán Frawley, Thomas Clarkson, and Max Deegan.
Conan returns after an injury suffered against Connacht just before Christmas.
Frawley has recovered from a back issue sustained in the game against Bristol Bears.
Clarkson is fit again following an arm injury picked up in the win over Clermont, and Deegan has completed the graduated return-to-play protocols.
Kick-off is on Sunday at 3:15pm.
