Advertisement
Former World Player of the Year Van der Flier starts at openside for the hosts. Billy Stickland/INPHO

Van der Flier and Ringrose return for Leinster's URC final against the Bulls

The Lions duo come straight into Leinster’s starting XV for Saturday’s Croke Park decider.

LIONS DUO JOSH van der Flier and Garry Ringrose have returned from injury and will land straight back into Leinster’s starting XV to face the Bulls in Saturday’s URC final at Croke Park (TG4/Premier Sports, 5pm).

The inclusions of Van der Flier at openside and Ringrose at outside centre are the only two changes to Leo Cullen’s starting side who demolished Glasgow in last week’s semi-final, with Jamie Osborne moved to the bench and Scott Penny not involved in the matchday 23.

The versatile Osborne’s inclusion as a replacement means there is no room for Ciarán Frawley, with out-half Ross Byrne set to make his final appearance for the province off the bench.

Jimmy O’Brien continues at fullback for the hosts in the absence of Hugo Keenan.

Jake White’s Bulls have made just one enforced change to their starting side which overcame the Sharks in their semi-final at Loftus Versfeld.

Marco van Staden replaces the injured Cameron Hanekom, with Nizaam Carr coming onto the Pretorians’ bench.

White, like Cullen, has opted for a 5-3 bench split, with quarter-final standout Keagan Johannes among the replacements.

Leinster

15. Jimmy O’Brien
14. Tommy O’Brien
13. Garry Ringrose
12. Jordie Barrett
11. James Lowe
10. Sam Prendergast
9. Jamison Gibson-Park

1. Andrew Porter
2. Dan Sheehan
3. Thomas Clarkson
4. Joe McCarthy
5. James Ryan
6. Ryan Baird
7. Josh van der Flier
8. Jack Conan (Captain)

Replacements:

16. Rónan Kelleher
17. Jack Boyle
18. Rabah Slimani
19. RG Snyman
20. Max Deegan
21. Luke McGrath
22. Ross Byrne
23. Jamie Osborne

Bulls

15. Willie le Roux
14. Canan Moodie
13. David Kriel
12. Harold Vorster
11. Sebastian de Klerk
10. Johan Goosen
9. Embrose Papier

1. Jan-hendrik Wessels
2. Johan Grobbelaar
3. Wilco Louw
4. Cobus Wiese
5. JF van Heerden
6. Marco van Staden
7. Ruan Nortje (Captain)
8. Marcell Coetzee

Replacements:

16. Akker van der Merwe
17. Alulutho Tshakweni
18. Mornay Smith
19. Jannes Kirsten
20. Nizaam Carr
21. Zak Burger
22. Keagan Johannes
23. Devon Williams

Referee: Andrea Piardi (ITA)

View 72 comments
Close
72 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

    Leave a commentcancel