Jack Conan captains strong Leinster team for Scarlets clash
URC quarter-final: Leinster v Scarlets, Aviva Stadium, 3pm, live on RTÉ 2 & Premier Sports 1
Jack Conan
will captain a strong
Leinster
team to play Scarlets in the United Rugby Championship quarter-final, as Jimmy O'Brien makes his 100th appearance for the club on the wing.
He features with James Lowe coming back into the team on the opposite side and Hugo Keenan named at fullback.
Jamie Osborne partners Jordie Barrett in the centre while Sam Prendergast starts at outhalf with Jamison Gibson-Park at scrumhalf.
READ MORE
Conan is at number eight as Ryan Baird continues at blindside flanker and Josh van der Flier takes the number seven jersey.
James Ryan is partnered in the secondrow by Joe McCarthy, with Andrew Porter and Thomas Clarkson scrumming down either side of Rónan Kelleher at hooker.
Dan Sheehan, Jack Boyle and Rabah Slimani offer the front row cover from the bench, with RG Snyman, Max Deegan and Scott Penny all named among the replacements. Luke McGrath and Ciarán Frawley complete the matchday 23.
Leinster:
H Keenan; J O'Brien, J Osborne, J Barrett, J Lowe; S Prendergast, J Gibson-Park; A Porter, R Kelleher, T Clarkson; J McCarthy, J Ryan; R Baird, J van der Flier, J Conan (captain). Replacements: D Sheehan, J Boyle, R Slimani, RG Snyman, M Deegan, S Penny, L McGrath, C Frawley.
Scarlets:
B Murray; T Rogers, J Roberts, J Williams, E Mee; S Costelow, A Hughes; A Hepburn, R Elias, H Thomas; A Craig, S Lousi; V Fifita, J Macleod (capt), T Plumtree.
Replacements:
M van der Merwe, K Mathias, S Wainwright, D Davis, J Taylor, E Jones, I Lloyd, M Page
Referee:
H Davidson (SRU)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RTÉ News
20 minutes ago
- RTÉ News
Kingdom reign in Páirc as Cork are swatted aside
Kerry completed the double over Cork at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh this season by defeating their nearest rivals 1-28 to 0-20 in this All-Ireland SFC round-robin Group 2 clash. It leaves John Cleary and his players hanging by a thread in the championship, and desperately needing a result against Roscommon in two weeks if there's going to be any type of knockout football played on Leeside in 2025. Cork led 0-13 to 1-07 at the interval, and then got wiped out by a Kerry drive that saw Jack O'Connor's players hit three two-pointers during a 0-08 run in nine minutes. The coach will only have one concern after this showing and that is the fitness of Mark O'Shea and Dylan Geaney after the pair went off injured in the first half. They were instrumental in a quickfire start that saw Kery surge into a 1-04 to 0-02 lead inside 11 minutes. The Kingdom were ruthless and a 90-second burst confirmed this as David Clifford raised his first white flag and the corner-forward followed it up by beating Brian O'Driscoll to Micheál Aodh Martin's kick-out, running through and hitting the back of the net at the City End. Paul Walsh jabbed for Cork and this was met with another brace by David Clifford, Kerry silencing the home crowd once again. Then came Brian Hurley's first of the day, a free, and Paul Walsh added to that by raising an orange flag. The Rebels kept the drive alive with a Mark Cronin goal chance that was saved and the loose ball went out to Hurley, who cleanly put it over and made the scoreboard read 0-06 to 1-04. The entire vibe in the ground shifted with it, even after Sean O'Shea curled over a free, as Cork had a feeling of belief. Colm O'Callaghan and Chris Og Jones were the first to capitalise on it, and a Brian Hurley free put the home side in front for the first time at 0-09 to 1-05. It was end to end from there, with Paudie Clifford twice ensuring parity before an injury forced the half-forward off in the 31st minute. The half came down to a Brian Hurley two-pointer from the edge of the arc and that put Cork in front at 0-13 to 1-07. A brawl erupted by the tunnel that led to Paul Walsh and Joe O'Connor receiving black cards. The Rebels actually extended their lead as things settled down after the break, through a Mark Cronin free. The Kingdom hit back with orange flags raised by David Clifford and Sean O'Shea, and they two teams were level for the fifth time in the 39th minute. That was when the dial shifted, something that was helped by Killian Spillane's arrival at half-time. The forward bagged two quick points, and this kick-started a run that included Sean O'Shea getting 0-03 from two frees, which pushed Kerry in front at 1-21 to 0-16. It happened very quickly, to the point where a solitary Mark Cronin free felt like swimming against the current. A missed two-pointer attempt from placed ball by Brian Hurley did not help in the 55th minute. This was start of a prolonged series of frustrations for the home supporters, with the high point being a missed Cronin penalty in the 63rd minute. The Rebels did manage to force a few goalmouth scrambles late on, but at that stage Kerry were holding a commanding nine-point cushion. Their job was done. Cork: Micheál Aodh Martin; Seán Meehan, Daniel O'Mahony, Maurice Shanley, Brian O'Driscoll, Sean Brady, Matty Taylor, Ian Maguire, Colm O'Callaghan (0-02), Paul Walsh (0-03, 1 2tp), Sean Walsh, Seán McDonnell, Mark Cronin (0-06, 5f), Brian Hurley (0-07, 2 2tp, 2fs), Chris Óg Jones (0-01). Subs: Sean Powter for Meehan (42); Ruairi Deane (0-01) for McDonnell (49), Cathail O'Mahony for Hurley (60), Luke Fahey for Taylor (64), Eoghan McSweeney for Paul Walsh (65), Kerry: Shane Ryan; Dylan Casey, Jason Foley, Tom O'Sullivan (0-02, 1 2tp), Brian Ó Beaglaoich, Mike Breen, Gavin White, Joe O'Connor, Barry Dan O'Sullivan, Graham O'Sullivan (0-01), Paudie Clifford (0-01), Seán O'Shea (0-09, 3tp, 6f), David Clifford (1-08, 2 tp, 3f), Paul Geaney (0-02), Micheál Burns.
Irish Examiner
21 minutes ago
- Irish Examiner
Brendan Cummins praises Tipperary 'bravery' in All-Ireland U20 triumph
Brendan Cummins hailed Tipperary's bravery after choosing to play against a strong wind in the first half of their All-Ireland U20 final triumph. The Premier won the toss and backed themselves to go against the breeze, taking a 0-10 to 0-8 half-time lead. From there, they blasted three second-half goals to run out nine-point victors over Kilkenny at Nowlan Park. 'I was delighted to see them express themselves and show the bravery in the first half that we needed,' said Cummins. 'We knew if we were brave on the ball, especially the way the wind was, opportunity would come in the second half. Thankfully, that's the way it panned out. 'I always like playing against the breeze in the first half. It forces the team to play. You have to move the ball, and you have to be brave right from the start. Sam O'Farrell of Tipperary hoists the cup into the air. Picture: Ray McManus/Sportsfile 'We backed the lads that they'd be able to do that. Certainly, Halla (Aaron O'Halloran), Podge (O'Dwyer), and (Cathal O') Reilly, the boys at the back, moved the ball around lovely, and they didn't bring it into contact too much. 'The turnovers and the tackle count was always going to be the key. Hurling is just nearly a game of counter-attack. Teams are so good and so well set up that to take it off them and go the other direction is how you create opportunity. 'The lads got that and, in fairness to them all year, we've been able to do it. Thankfully, we got the rewards again today for it.' Having missed last year's All-Ireland final defeat against Offaly due to injury, Paddy McCormack made hay in the second half, scoring 2-1. 'He was a bit frustrated at half-time,' said Cummins. 'There was no need because he was going really well. 'It was hard. That breeze up there was really strong. At half-time, we just thought the opportunity would come for him and Oisín (O'Donoghue) inside. Paddy McCormack of Tipperary is tackled by Timmy Kelly, left, and Eoghan Lyng. Picture: Ray McManus/Sportsfile 'Thankfully, when they got it, there's nobody else in the world I'd want coming through like that only Paddy McCormack, and he just did the job. He was brilliant.' Player development remains Cummins' focus, but capturing silverware helps to breed confidence too. 'Winning is fine, but the main thing for me is to try to develop the players and get them ready. 'You could win an All-Ireland and you could end up then not having as many getting through to the senior set up. So the priority is to get them ready to play senior. 'If we win along the way like today, I think that fast-tracks the progress because of confidence, there is no doubt about that. 'So the most satisfying thing for me is the number of players that we're trying to get through to the senior panel to Liam Cahill in the next couple of years. That's the mission.' Read More Second half blitz carries Clifford and Kerry to impressive victory over Cork
Irish Examiner
21 minutes ago
- Irish Examiner
Second half blitz carries Clifford and Kerry to impressive victory over Cork
All-Ireland SFC: Kerry 1-28 (1-7-14) Cork 0-20 (0-3-14) A rare deluge of orange flags from the men in green and gold. A not-so-rare victory for the green and gold over the neighbours. Kerry remain in pole position for direct progress to the All-Ireland quarter-finals. Cork have 70 minutes against Roscommon to rescue their summer. The third quarter was the busiest and arguably the defining quarter of this second championship instalment between Cork and Kerry. The third quarter was busy before it ever began. A bout of digging and pushing on the way back to the dressing-rooms at half-time was dealt with as both sides emerged from their respective dressing-rooms for the second period. Jack O'Connor first sought to make his views known to referee Derek O'Mahoney. He was yellow-carded for his views. Yellow also for Brian Hurley and David Clifford, black for Joe O'Connor and Paul Walsh. Referee O'Mahoney moved himself more and more centre stage as the third quarter played out. Cork manager John Cleary and Kerry manager Jack O'Connor amongst the half-time skirmish. Pic: Eddie O'Hare He penalised Cork for having only two up. He twice penalised Cork for impeding the Kerry ball-holder after the green and gold took down a Micheál Aodh Martin restart. All three alleged indiscretions were punished with orange flags from David Clifford and previously subdued Seán O'Shea. Kerry, in total, kicked five two-pointers across the third quarter. Clifford and O'Shea added one each from play to their placed-ball efforts. Mark O'Shea was another instrumental third-quarter figure. He was the kickout winner fouled for one of the already mentioned two-pointers. He also rose a pair of white flags. From 0-13 to 1-7 behind at the break to 1-21 to 0-16 clear by the 52nd minute. An 11-point swing. O'Shea was a first-half introduction for the injured Barry Dan O'Sullivan. Kerry's midfield options continue to thin. Paudie Clifford was also a first-half withdrawal. He didn't look best pleased coming off. One can only assume it was injury-related. Paul Geaney did not re-emerge for the second half because of injury. Unwanted and unwelcome additions to the sickbay. Cork's first point from play of the second period did not arrive until sub Ruairí Deane split the posts on 58 minutes. A Mark Cronin penalty after the hour mark was repelled superbly Shane Ryan. Cronin's two follow-up attempts were also repelled. Brian O'Driscoll had a later goal chance smothered. Of Cork's five goal chances throughout, the green flag never moved. Tom O'Sullivan and sub Tony Brosnan again moved the orange flag late on and brought their two-point count to seven by the finish. Overlooked up to here, exploited superbly when the conditions allowed. Cork's Seán McDonnell is tackled by Brian O'Beaghaoich with Gavin White of Kerry. Pic: Bryan Keane Across the previous two years of the Sam Maguire group series, only two teams have emerged from their group on two points. Cork must beat Roscommon next time out in an attempt to progress off the same total. An intense spotlight was fixed on the Cork restart. Micheál Aodh Martin's first punt of the afternoon was collected by a Cork teammate and finished with Mark Cronin converting from the placed ball. A reassuring start, even if it was only the first kickout of a long afternoon and had the breeze for support. Cork actually lost only two of their nine first-half restarts. The two lost, though, came at a significant price. The two lost cost them 1-1. Five minutes in, and following David Clifford's opening point to nudge the visitors 0-2 to 0-1 in front, Martin kicked to the edge of the arc. The intention was to find Brian O'Driscoll. Clifford read the intention and intercepted. Goal Kerry. The irony was that after a week in which his long kickouts to an overloaded left flank were heavily criticised and branded utterly predictable, it was the short restart that undid Martin and Cork. Playing into a minor gale, the buffer of the giveaway goal sustained Kerry for most of the half. A second Clifford point, after Seán McDonnell dallied at the far end, and another from the Fossa wonder following a second lost Cork restart, pushed Jack's lads into a 1-4 to 0-2 advantage. For all Cork's possession dominance thereafter, there were still 26 minutes run on the clock before Cork crept ahead for the opening time. The Kerry kickout was the kickout under pressure and being savaged. In the middle of the half, five consecutive Shane Ryan restarts were not retained. Cork's problem was they failed to punish. Three goal chances were not taken. Ryan denied Cronin and Mattie Taylor. The third and final green flag opening saw Taylor foiled as the trigger was pulled back. Maurice Shanley drew a boot at the breaking ball, but no net was found. Colm O'Callaghan, with his second of the half, swung Cork back in front approaching the hooter. Brian Hurley, after the hooter, landed a crowd lifting two-pointer. 0-13 to 1-7 at the break. A three-point lead, such were the elements, was never going to be sufficient. And so that point of view was quickly proven right. In front of 13,072, Kerry remain unbeaten. For Cork, just one win now from their last five championship outings. Scorers for Kerry: D Clifford (1-8, tp, tp free, 0-2 frees); S O'Shea (0-9, 3 tp frees, 0-3 frees); T O'Sullivan (tp), P Geaney, T Brosnan (tp), M O'Shea (0-2 each); G O'Sullivan, P Clifford, D Geaney (0-1 each). Scorers for Cork: B Hurley (0-7, tp, tp free, 0-2 frees); M Cronin (0-5, 0-4 frees); P Walsh (0-3, tp); C Óg Jones (0-1 free), C O'Callaghan (0-2 each); R Deane (0-1). KERRY: S Ryan; T O'Sullivan, J Foley, D Casey; B Ó Beaglaoich, M Breen, G White; J O'Connor, BD O'Sullivan; G O'Sullivan, P Clifford, S O'Shea; D Clifford, P Geaney, M Burns. SUBS: M O'Shea for BD O'Sullivan (21 mins); D Geaney for P Clifford (31); K Spillane for Geaney (inj, HT); T Brosnan for Burns (59); T Morley for Ó Beaglaoich (66). CORK: MA Martin; S Brady, S Meehan, D O'Mahony; B O'Driscoll, M Shanley, M Taylor; I Maguire, C O'Callaghan; S Walsh, P Walsh, S McDonnell; C Óg Jones, B Hurley, M Cronin. SUBS: S Powter for Meehan (43); R Deane for McDonnell (50); C O'Mahony for B Hurley (60); L Fahy for Taylor (65); E McSweeney for P Walsh (66). REFEREE: D O'Mahoney (Tipperary).
