Leo Cullen brings in Ringrose and Van der Flier to face Bulls in URC final
Leinster's
United Rugby Championship (URC) final against the Bulls on Saturday at Croke Park (5pm kick-off).
Cullen makes two changes to the Leinster side that beat Glasgow 37-19 in last week's semi-final. A fit again Garry Ringrose and Josh van der Flier come back into the team, Ringrose partnering Jordie Barret in the centre and Van der Flier slotting into his usual role at openside flanker alongside captain Jack Conan at number eight and Ryan Baird.
Joe McCarthy and James Ryan continue their partnership in the second row with loosehead prop Andrew Porter and tighthead Thomas Clarkson scrumming down alongside last week's double try scorer, hooker Dan Sheehan.
The in-form Tommy O'Brien and James Lowe continue on the wings with Jimmy O'Brien named at fullback once more as Hugo Keenan remains unavailable with a calf injury.
READ MORE
Leinster's impressive bench includes frontrow Rónan Kelleher, Jack Boyle and French international Rabah Slimani along with RG Snyman and Max Deegan.
Jamie Osborne, who scored tries in either half against Glasgow, gives way for Ringrose and is among the replacements alongside Luke McGrath and the departing Byrne in a 5-3 bench split.
Bulls coach Jake White makes one injury-enforced change to his side with Cameron Hanekom suffering an injury in the 25-13 semi-final win over the Sharks which rules him out of the game. Marco van Staden comes into the pack with Nizaam Carr coming onto the replacements bench in an otherwise unchanged squad
Leinster
: J O'Brien; T O'Brien, G Ringrose, J Barrett, J Lowe; S Prendergast, J Gibson-Park; A Porter, D Sheehan, T Clarkson, J McCarthy, J Ryan, R Baird, J van der Flier, J Conan (Capt).
Replacements
: R Kelleher, Jack Boyle, Slimani, RG Snyman, M Deegan, L McGrath, R Ross Byrne, Jamie Osborne
Bulls
: W le Roux; C Moodie, D Kriel, H Vorster, S de Klerk; J Goosen, E Papier, J-hendrik Wessels, J Grobbelaar, W Louw, C Wiese, JF van Heerden, M van Staden, R Nortje (CAPT), M Coetzee.
Replacements
: A van der Merwe, A Tshakweni, M Smith, J Kirsten, N Carr, Z Burger, K Johannes, D Williams
Referee
: Andrea Piardi (FIR)
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Times
2 hours ago
- Irish Times
Ireland start T20 qualifier event with 10-wicket win over Germany
ICC Women's T20 World Cup European qualifier (in Rotterdam): Germany 62 (18.2 ovs) (C Gough 28; L Delany 4-9, A Canning 2-10, A Kelly 1-7), Ireland 63-0 (7.3 ovs) (A Hunter 31no, G Lewis 29no). Ireland won by 10 wickets Ireland continued their fine recent form in T20 cricket with a 10-wicket victory over Germany in their opening game of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup qualifier in Rotterdam on Wednesday. Germany won the toss and opted to bat first but the Irish bowling attack impressed from the start with Orla Prendergast taking a wicket with the fourth delivery of the match. Fellow new-ball bowler Ava Canning struck twice in two overs to reduce Germany to 17 for three. Christina Gough offered some resistance with her knock of 28 from 39 balls, but wickets continue to fall at the other end, with Laura Delaney taking four for nine in 14 deliveries as Ireland bowled their opponents out for 62 in the 19th over. READ MORE Ireland chased down the total in the eighth over with Amy Hunter making 31 not out on her 50th appearance for Ireland. She shared a 63-run stand with skipper Gaby Lewis, who finished on 29 not out. Ireland plays hosts the Netherlands on Thursday in their second game.
Irish Times
3 hours ago
- Irish Times
John Shortt wins gold in 100m backstroke at World Junior Championships
Ireland's John Shortt has won gold in the 100m backstroke at the World Aquatics Junior Championships in Romania to become the World and European champion in the event. The 18-year-old won in 53.86 seconds, improving on the 54.09 he produced to claim gold at last month's European Junior Championships. The Galway man touched the wall .08 of a second ahead of Russian Georgii Iakovlev, with Gavin Keogh of the US home in third. Shortt's effort on Wednesday was just shy of his Irish junior record of 53.80, which he set in Tuesday's semi-final. READ MORE 'It feels pretty good,' the National Centre Limerick swimmer said after the race. 'Just so much pride at the minute, getting up there, singing my national anthem, on a World stage now, not just a European stage. I'm just so proud to be Irish and proud to be here. 'The race went really well. I was just holding on for dear life towards the end, but we got the hand on the wall first and that's really all that matters.' Shortt is back in the pool on Thursday, swimming in the heats of the 50m backstroke (8am Irish time).
The 42
3 hours ago
- The 42
All-Ireland semi-finalists Waterford to ratify Boland again as manager for 2026
MICHAEL BOLAND IS set to continue as manager of Waterford camogie for 2026. A statement released today reads that the Déise is to seek ratification of his appointment after Boland guided the county to an All-Ireland semi-final this season where they were defeated by Cork. They also reached a Munster final but that fixture against Cork was cancelled due to the skort controversy. Boland, a Cork native, was first appointed to the position on an interim basis in April having previously served as coach and selector. He took over from Jerry Wallace at the end of the Déise's league campaign. Boland also managed Cork side Courcey Rovers to their first-ever senior county camogie title in 2020. Advertisement Today's statement from Waterford reads: 'Waterford camogie to seek ratification of Michael Boland to continue as Waterford senior camogie manager. 'Waterford camogie executive, following the conclusion of a comprehensive review of the 2025 senior campaign, will be seeking ratification of Michael Boland to continue as Waterford senior camogie manager at the next scheduled meeting of the Waterford camogie board. 'Since being appointed to replace the retiring Jerry Wallace, Michael and his backroom team have continued the good work and have qualified Waterford for a senior Munster final and an All-Ireland semi-final while establishing Waterford in the top tier of senior camogie. 'Michael's backroom team will be announced in due course. 'Waterford camogie look forward to Michael's ratification and to continuing the exciting senior camogie journey that the county is on.'
