It’s the main event of the Irish rugby weekend as the main stand at Dexcom Stadium is opened for the first time (ko 5:30pm).
46 mins ago
1′ – CON 0-0 LEIN: Harry Byrne gets us underway at The Sportsground!
Taken by Cathal Forde and Connacht exit through Caolin Blade.
A little bit of argy-bargy before the first lineout. Brilliant!
Just over five minutes to go until kick-off in Galway.
The last time the sides met, only last month, Leinster were runaway winners in the end — but Connacht were excellent in the first half of that game at the Aviva.
Imbued with home advantage and the sense of occasion in a new-look Dexcom Stadium, let’s see if this one is more competitive for 80.
Caolin Blade returns at scrum-half in a timely boost for Connacht after his five-week layoff.
Blade’s return following a five-week layoff is one of just three changes made by head coach Stuart Lancaster.
Out-half Josh Ioane is named outside Blade, while Dylan Tierney-Martin comes in at hooker in place of the injured Dave Heffernan.
Connacht have over 850 caps worth of experience to call upon from the bench with Bundee Aki, Jack Carty and Denis Buckley all named among the replacements.
James Crombie / INPHO
James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO
Meanwhile, Niall Smyth is set to make his Leinster debut as Leo Cullen navigates a tricky period of injuries among his tightheads.
Smyth, who won a Leinster Schools Senior Cup with Blackrock in 2024, partners Jack Boyle and Gus McCarthy in the front row.
Harry Byrne starts at out-half once again, while captain Caelan Doris is set to win his 100th Leinster cap.
Connacht Rugby
15. Sam Gilbert
14. Shane Jennings
13. Harry West
12. Cathal Forde
11. Finn Treacy
10. Josh Ioane
9. Caolin Blade
1. Billy Bohan
2. Dylan Tierney-Martin
3. Sam Illo
4. Darragh Murray
5. Josh Murphy
6. Cian Prendergast (capt)
7. Paul Boyle
8. Sean Jansen
Replacements:
16. Eoin de Buitléar
17. Denis Buckley
18. Jack Aungier
19. Joe Joyce
20. Sean O’Brien
21. Ben Murphy
22. Jack Carty
23. Bundee Aki
Leinster Rugby
15. Ciarán Frawley
14. Joshua Kenny
13. Garry Ringrose
12. Charlie Tector
11. James Lowe
10. Harry Byrne
9. Fintan Gunne
1. Jack Boyle
2. Gus McCarthy
3. Niall Smyth
4. RG Snyman
5. James Ryan
6. Alex Soroka
7. Will Connors
8. Caelan Doris (capt)
Replacements:
16. Rónan Kelleher
17. Jerry Cahir
18. Andrew Sparrow
19. Brian Deeny
20. Diarmuid Mangan
21. Scott Penny
22. Luke McGrath
23. Ruben Moloney
Referee: Eoghan Cross (IRFU)
1 hr ago
5:10PM
How are you feeling about this game, Connacht and Leinster fans?
A very warm welcome to The 42′s live coverage of Connacht’s URC clash with Leinster.
It’s the moment Connacht fans have been waiting for: the main stand opens tonight at Dexcom Stadium, and a new era begins in earnest for the westerners.
A huge night ahead, then, as Leinster seek a 10th consecutive victory in all competitions, and Connacht look to build upon positive displays in the Challenge Cup over the last fortnight.
Here’s Aoife and Michael Henry on their way to the game, and also a larger group of Connacht fans outside the revamped main stand.
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LIVE: Connacht v Leinster, URC
1′ – CON 0-0 LEIN: Harry Byrne gets us underway at The Sportsground!
Taken by Cathal Forde and Connacht exit through Caolin Blade.
A little bit of argy-bargy before the first lineout. Brilliant!
Dexcom Stadium is HOPPING. And it looks absolutely fantastic.
Here we go!
Fantastic performance on the pitch pre-game, with all 26 Connacht clubs represented.
Ballina man Caelan Doris leads Leinster onto the pitch to a fairly warm reception.
And now here come Connacht to some serious noise!
Just over five minutes to go until kick-off in Galway.
The last time the sides met, only last month, Leinster were runaway winners in the end — but Connacht were excellent in the first half of that game at the Aviva.
Imbued with home advantage and the sense of occasion in a new-look Dexcom Stadium, let’s see if this one is more competitive for 80.
Caolin Blade returns at scrum-half in a timely boost for Connacht after his five-week layoff.
Blade’s return following a five-week layoff is one of just three changes made by head coach Stuart Lancaster.
Out-half Josh Ioane is named outside Blade, while Dylan Tierney-Martin comes in at hooker in place of the injured Dave Heffernan.
Connacht have over 850 caps worth of experience to call upon from the bench with Bundee Aki, Jack Carty and Denis Buckley all named among the replacements.
Meanwhile, Niall Smyth is set to make his Leinster debut as Leo Cullen navigates a tricky period of injuries among his tightheads.
Smyth, who won a Leinster Schools Senior Cup with Blackrock in 2024, partners Jack Boyle and Gus McCarthy in the front row.
Harry Byrne starts at out-half once again, while captain Caelan Doris is set to win his 100th Leinster cap.
Connacht Rugby
15. Sam Gilbert
14. Shane Jennings
13. Harry West
12. Cathal Forde
11. Finn Treacy
10. Josh Ioane
9. Caolin Blade
1. Billy Bohan
2. Dylan Tierney-Martin
3. Sam Illo
4. Darragh Murray
5. Josh Murphy
6. Cian Prendergast (capt)
7. Paul Boyle
8. Sean Jansen
Replacements:
16. Eoin de Buitléar
17. Denis Buckley
18. Jack Aungier
19. Joe Joyce
20. Sean O’Brien
21. Ben Murphy
22. Jack Carty
23. Bundee Aki
Leinster Rugby
15. Ciarán Frawley
14. Joshua Kenny
13. Garry Ringrose
12. Charlie Tector
11. James Lowe
10. Harry Byrne
9. Fintan Gunne
1. Jack Boyle
2. Gus McCarthy
3. Niall Smyth
4. RG Snyman
5. James Ryan
6. Alex Soroka
7. Will Connors
8. Caelan Doris (capt)
Replacements:
16. Rónan Kelleher
17. Jerry Cahir
18. Andrew Sparrow
19. Brian Deeny
20. Diarmuid Mangan
21. Scott Penny
22. Luke McGrath
23. Ruben Moloney
Referee: Eoghan Cross (IRFU)
Who wins this evening?
Poll Results:
A very warm welcome to The 42′s live coverage of Connacht’s URC clash with Leinster.
It’s the moment Connacht fans have been waiting for: the main stand opens tonight at Dexcom Stadium, and a new era begins in earnest for the westerners.
A huge night ahead, then, as Leinster seek a 10th consecutive victory in all competitions, and Connacht look to build upon positive displays in the Challenge Cup over the last fortnight.
Here’s Aoife and Michael Henry on their way to the game, and also a larger group of Connacht fans outside the revamped main stand.
Looking forward to this one!
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