Ireland international Ronan Kelleher is the latest hooker to be ruled out ahead of Saturday’s top-of-the-table clash between the Stormers and Leinster.

The 18-cap front ranker has returned home from Leinster’s two-match tour to South Africa in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship as a precaution by the Irish side.

Hooker is a particular problem position for the Stormers, with Scarra Ntubeni having joined Andre-Hugo Venter and Chad Solomon on the sidelines.

The Capetonians successfully negotiated a short-term loan for Free State Cheetahs and former Maties star Wilmar Arnoldi.

Kelleher, who returned to action from an injury during the Six Nations, was withdrawn on the eve of Leinster’s defeat by the Sharks in Durban, and the Irish are also sweating on the availability of James Treacy, who is nursing a neck problem.

“A 31-player squad is currently on a two-week tour of South Africa during which they play two games, the first of which was a defeat to Sharks last Saturday evening,” a club statement read.

“Ahead of that clash, hooker Ronan Kelleher, named to start initially, was withdrawn as a precaution with a minor shoulder knock. He has returned to Dublin and will be assessed further at the squad’s base in UCD.

“James Tracy picked up a neck injury in training last week and will be further assessed before a final decision is made on his availability for this weekend.”