GARRY RINGROSE WILL make his long-awaited return from injury as he starts for Leinster against the Bulls in tomorrow’s URC semi-final at Loftus Versfeld (KO: 3pm, RTÉ1, Premier Sports 1).
The centre has been out for the province since January with a shoulder injury, and comes into the side at 13, with Robbie Henshaw moving inside to 12.
Lock James Ryan captains the team.
Jimmy O’Brien continues at full-back, with Jordan Larmour and James Lowe named on the wings.
Ross Byrne and Jamison Gibson-Park continue their partnership at half-back. The pack is unchanged from last week’s win against Ulster as Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan and Tadhg Furlong continue in the front row.
‼️TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT‼️
— Official Blue Bulls (@BlueBullsRugby) June 14, 2024
LET'S GO 🔥🔥 @Vodacom #URC SEMI FINALS 🇿🇦👀
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Joe McCarthy joins Ryan once more in the second row, while Ryan Baird, Josh van der Flier and Caelan Doris complete the front eight.
Among the replacements, Jack Conan returns after missing last weekend’s win, while Jamie Osborne moves to the bench following Ringrose’s return.
Leinster
15. Jimmy O’Brien
14. Jordan Larmour
13. Garry Ringrose
12. Robbie Henshaw
11. James Lowe
10. Ross Byrne
9. Jamison Gibson-Park
1. Andrew Porter
2. Dan Sheehan
3. Tadhg Furlong
4. Joe McCarthy
5. James Ryan (Capt)
6. Ryan Baird
7. Josh van der Flier
8. Caelan Doris
Replacements:
16. Rónan Kelleher
17. Cian Healy
18. Michael Ala’alatoa
19. Ross Molony
20. Jack Conan
21. Luke McGrath
22. Ciarán Frawley
23. Jamie Osborne
Ref: Sam Grove-White (SRU)
Great to see this Leinster squad playing in South Africa (finally). A real showpiece for the fans. Great for the tournament as a whole. Now let’s hope we get a brilliant game ……
@Stuart: agreed and hope the fans turn up and make it as hostile as possible for them . One of the best rugby grounds in the world , really looking forward to the game tomorrow
@Owen ODonoghue: well Kurt Darren a local singer superstar in those parts has been drafted in a for a little pre-game show on the pitch so that’s bound to strum up even more of the Loftus faithful. But remember the economy is f’d in South Africa . Mid month game, money is tight and whoever is going to Loftus probably prioritised/saved up for the int test In a couple of weeks …think there will be a good crowd, don’t know if a sellout .hope so. If they can sellout for a Stormers game then surely they don’t come bigger than this .
This is an absolute must win, if anyone says anything else then the standards have totally left Leinster rugby as an organisation.
@Eoin H: A semi final is a must win? Really?? Searing insight there, captain obvious.
@Shane Jenkinson: Leo didn’t think last years semifinal was a must win, he didn’t even think it was a must turn up
@chris mcdonnell: Don’t forget (Im sure you didn’t) thatvlast years SF was the week before a “must win” CC Final. Leaders have to make tough decisions and Leo got that one wrong. Funny thing is that Leinster, for such a badly run organisation, came desperately close in both games.
@Paul Ennis: we have by far the best squad and easily the best resourced. Funny thing is Leo has got a lot wrong in the past 3 seasons. We finished 3rd in the league with all the players and resources we have. We have lost what 7 games this season so far. We are now playing in South Africa and making excuses already.
@chris mcdonnell: Who’s making excuses? I’m just pointing out that there’s a very fine line between success and failure at this level. We have fallen the wrong side of that line the last 3 seasons. My attitude (because I cannot change anything) is to pick myself up, get behind Leinster and support them 100% to go again. You love calling for positional and managerial change, but the gas thing is that nobody in the Leinster set up is listening to you because you have no more or less influence than I do. All your negativity is doing is making yourself and everyone who has to listen to you angry, irritated and fed up. I’m going to stop listening!!
@Paul Ennis: angry yes but I’m not wrong
@Paul Ennis: Paul he has a point. Leinster went into this and last year’s Champions Cup finals undercooked. Toulouse and LAR went in battle hardened on the back of tough Top14 games. Yes you might risk injuries playing the front liners in SA and Ulster but at least the would be a battle hardened bank of brothers fully match fit and ready for the dog fight. Also had they played against The Bulls already in Pretoria the would know what to expect in terms of performing at altitude.
@TL55: they kept Toulouse tryless for 80 minutes and went toe to toe all the way into overtime and they weren’t battle hardened ?
Or match fit.
@Oran Burns: Exactly, Toulouse, LAR & Saracens have all been marginally better than Leinster when it mattered. Leinster have lost these games in their heads… nothing to do with how often or how hard they play in the weeks before. As Leinster fans it is hard to take, but we have been so lucky to travel Europe supporting them in big games and finals. The only way through it is to get back on the horse and behind the team for the next fight. All this negative hysteria about Ross Byrne or Leo Cullen is meaningless and unhelpful. Right now it’s Leo’s job to pick the team and it’s our job to get behind it whether we agree with him or not. COYBIB.
That is , Keenan aside, the strongest Leinster side possible. I believe it will be too strong for the Bulls and we should win with a bit to spare.
@Tom Reilly: looking at the bulls playoff record in Loftus since super rugby they won most of the games hope for a leinster win but it would be tight
If leinster can keep the homecrowd silent it will be a bonus.
@Tom Reilly: I would say Jenkins over Molony (just) would be stronger
@Andrew Slazenger: Is Jenkins still injured?
@Andrew Slazenger: injured
@Paul Ennis: Yes and talk is gone for the season
@Tom Reilly: Largely the same team as the last time they met in a semi. Certainly not overly confident! Gonna be a cracking game!
On paper Leinster are quite a bit better (especially as Bulls missing 3 key players) but Loftus and altitude will make this a very close game, Leinster by 4 for me.
Moodie and Arendse are huge losses for the bulls. It’s also a very strong Leinster team, think we should win this by 10+.
@Dave Moran: I’ll take a 1 point win !!
@Dave Moran: by 10 you did say….?
Conan is the only game changer on the bench. All the rest are either there for tired forwards or injuries.
@chris mcdonnell: Definitely their strongest starting 15, compared to what Munster are doing. Think Frawley could have an impact… if he’s trusted.
@james joyce: frawley only came on for Ross after Ross was clearly injured for about 8 minutes in the final. Leo doesn’t change byrne unless he has no choice. Frawley is not there for impact he’s only there to cover injuries.
Should be a cracker , big call to go 5/3 split and even bigger to start Ringrose. I’m guessing this may be Leo’s selection as opposed to Nienbars when comparing to the selection for the CC final . Good to see Leo rolling the dice a little , I think it will pay off
The threat of Kriel was too much to ignore! :)
Fully loaded. Let’s see what they’re made of.
Crikey! Five Bulls forwards named in the URC Team of the season.
Chokers