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Recap: Leinster vs Ulster LIVE | Guinness PRO14
By RugbyPass
Follow all the action on the RugbyPass live blog from the Guinness PRO14 match between Leinster and Ulster at the RDS.
Keep up to date with the latest score, stats and join the conversation from anywhere in the world in our Live Match Centre (click here).
Fresh from their back-to-back Heineken Champions Cup victories over Northampton, Leinster boss Leo Cullen has shaken up his selection.
There is a return from injury for Sean Cronin who makes his first appearance of the season, while Tommy O’Brien will make his senior debut in the centre.
Debutant O’Brien is joined in the centre by Robbie Henshaw who is named in the number 12 jersey. The 21-year-old has previously represented Ireland under-20s (five caps) and Leinster A, while he plays with UCD in the Energia All-Ireland League.
(Continue reading below...)
The RugbyPass Alternative Commentary team on whether Conor Murray is still Ireland's No1 scrum-half
He is a former Leinster schools 110-metre hurdle champion while his father and sister represented Ireland in athletics.
The back three, meanwhile, includes Rob Kearney at full-back just days after the veteran was left out of new Ireland coach Andy Farrell’s first squad selection.
Alan O’Connor is set to make his 100th appearance for an Ulster side that is much-changed from the XVs that defeated Harlequins on successive Champions Cup Saturdays.
Three academy prospects - Jack Regan, Azur Allison and Stewart Moore – are set to earn their first senior cap if called upon from the bench, as is sub-academy back three, Ethan McIlroy.
LEINSTER: 15. Rob Kearney; 14. Fergus McFadden, 13. Tommy O’Brien, 12. Robbie Henshaw, 11. Cian Kelleher; 10. Harry Byrne, 9. Jamison Gibson-Park; 1. Peter Dooley, 2. Sean Cronin, 3. Andrew Porter, 4. Scott Fardy (capt), 5. Josh Murphy, 6. Will Connors, 7. Scott Penny, 8. Max Deegan. Reps: 16. Bryan Byrne, 17. Cian Healy, 18. Jack Aungier, 19. Oisin Dowling, 20. Josh van der Flier, 21. Hugh O’Sullivan, 22. Ciaran Frawley, 23. Conor O’Brien.
ULSTER: 15. Rob Lyttle; 14. Craig Gilroy, 13. Matt Faddes, 12. Angus Curtis, 11. Angus Kernohan; 10. Bill Johnston, 9. David Shanahan; 1. Andrew Warwick, 2. Adam McBurney, 3. Tom O’Toole, 4. David O’Connor, 5. Alan O’Connor (capt), 6. Matthew Rea, 7. Nick Timoney, 8. Greg Jones. Reps: 16. John Andrew, 17. Kyle McCall, 18. Ross Kane, 19. Jack Regan, 20. Azur Allison, 21. Jonny Stewart, 22. Stewart Moore, 23. Ethan McIlroy.
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Latest Comments
It certainly needs to be cherished. Despite Nick (and you) highlighting their usefulness for teams like Australia (and obviously those in France they find form with) I (mention it general in those articles) say that I fear the game is just not setup in Aus and NZ to appreciate nor maximise their strengths. The French game should continue to be the destination of the biggest and most gifted athletes but it might improve elsewhere too.
I just have an idea it needs a whole team focus to make work. I also have an idea what the opposite applies with players in general. I feel like French backs and halves can be very small and quick, were as here everyone is made to fit in a model physique. Louis was some 10 and 20 kg smaller that his opposition and we just do not have that time of player in our game anymore. I'm dying out for a fast wing to appear on the All Blacks radar.
But I, and my thoughts on body size in particular, could be part of the same indoctrination that goes on with player physiques by the establishment in my parts (country).
Go to commentsHis best years were 2018 and he wasn't good enough to win the World Cup in 2023! (Although he was voted as the best player in the world in 2023)
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