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RG Snyman set for debut as Leinster roll out stars in formidable team
By Josh Raisey
South Africa lock RG Snyman is set to make his Leinster debut on Saturday against Benetton in Treviso in the United Rugby Championship.
The double World Cup winner was one of Leinster's marquee signings over the summer, joining from rivals Munster, but has been carrying a foot injury.
After being named in South Africa's squad for the opening match of The Rugby Championship, the 29-year-old was a late withdrawal with a foot injury and ended up playing no part in their triumphant campaign.
Had he remained fit, his duties with the Springboks would have only ended last week. However, he teamed up with his new side during the Championship and is now set for his debut, where he will start in the second-row with Ireland lock Joe McCarthy.
McCarthy will run out with plenty of his Ireland team-mates this weekend for the first time this season in blue, as Leo Cullen has named close to a full-strength side.
Not only are a host of Ireland stars returning from their 1-1 series draw with world champions South Africa in July, but full-back Hugo Keenan will also make his return to 15s after his dalliance in rugby sevens over the summer for the Olympic games.
The starting front-row trio of Andrew Porter, Ronan Kelleher and Tadhg Furlong will all be making their first Leinster outing this campaign, as will new captain Caelan Doris and drop-kicking hero Ciaran Frawley.
Leinster XV (caps in brackets)
15. Hugo Keenan (66)
14. Jimmy O’Brien (83)
13. Garry Ringrose (125)
12. Jamie Osborne (50)
11. James Lowe (81)
10. Ciaran Frawley (89)
9. Jamison Gibson-Park (143)
1. Andrew Porter (122)
2. Ronan Kelleher (65)
3. Tadhg Furlong (147)
4. Joe McCarthy (36)
5. RG Snyman (0)
6. Jack Conan (150)
7. Josh van der Flier (144)
8. Caelan Doris (captain) (83)
Replacements
16. Lee Barron (17)
17. Michael Milne (43)
18. Thomas Clarkson (43)
19. Ryan Baird (71)
20. Brian Deeny (23)
21. Fintan Gunne (4)
22. Ross Byrne (164)
23. Scott Penny (72)
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Latest Comments
Why are there so many? Is it to keep the tv people happy, or to try and engage more fans with clubs that would otherwise not survive?
Go to commentsSo I'm going to propose a format, and let me first say 2 things. One, I know why it would never work, why many if not most of the parties involved would not want it. Two, I'm not even sure I'd want it. I'm just going to put it out there, and you all can tell me why it's awful and I'm an idiot.
So, there are 40 teams across the 3 top tier leagues of Europe & Africa. Merge all 3 leagues into a 3 tiered competition with pro/rel, plus a cup competition. Here's how it'd work.
For the league set up, you'd have a top division and second division each with 16 teams. You'd then have a third division of 8 teams. Both Divisions 1 and 2 operate kind of like the URC now in that they are split into 4 groups of 4. In each division, the 4 group winners would play in the playoffs, and the 4 group losers would play in a reverse playoff. In the reverse playoff the two losers of round 1 would then play each other. The loser of that would be automatically relegated, and the winner would play the playoff runner up of the division below for to either stay up, or also be relegated.
Divisions 1 & 2 would each play an 18 match schedule while Division 3 would play a 14 match schedule. Part of the downside of being in Division 3. However, television money would be split equally among all 40 clubs to protect Division 3 clubs from going belly up. Each tier would also have a progressively higher salary cap.
Aside from the league, there'd also be a cup competition. All 40 clubs, regardless of division, would be divided into 8 groups of 5. Each team plays each of their group mates once, for 2 home matches, 2 away matches. Each group winner, plus the next 8 best teams regardless of group, advance to the round of 16 to start knockouts.
This means, every club between the league and cup competitions, would play a minimum of 18 matches (division 3) per season, and a maximum of 28 (if you won the double).
I understand frankly, why many parties involved would be opposed to this, most strongly of course, the French, who really don't need to tinker with their domestic set up at all. Again, I'm not even sure I'd like it in reality. Just a thought I had, wanted to put out there.
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