logo
Leinster are without FOUR Lions stars for crucial URC play-off semi-final against Glasgow Warriors

Leinster are without FOUR Lions stars for crucial URC play-off semi-final against Glasgow Warriors

The Irish Suna day ago

LIONS duo Josh van der Flier and Hugo Keenan are absent for Leinster for tomorrow's URC semi-final with Glasgow.
But boss Leo Cullen insisted that both are okay for the Lions, and could resume training next week IF Leinster can secure a final date at Croke Park.
Van der Flier limped out of
And that meant
Cullen said: 'Josh went off at the weekend so he's not back for this weekend. It's tight. It's coming a little bit too soon.
'It's coming a little bit too soon for Garry obviously, Hugo has picked up a niggle as well, so he's out.'
Read more on Irish sport
But Tommy O'Brien returns to the side after missing out last week through injury while flanker Scott Penney gets his shot in the back row in place of van der Flier.
Leinster: J O'Brien, T O'Brien, J Osborne, J Barrett, J Lowe, S Prendergast, J Gibson-Park; A Porter, D Sheenan, T Clarkson, J McCarthy, J Ryan, R Baird, S Penny, J Conan.
Replacements: R Kelleher, J Boyle, R Slimani, RG Snyman, M Deegan, L McGrath, R Byrne, C Frawley.
'Big weekend' - Peter O'Mahony embarking on hectic gardening project as he aims to add '300 plants'
1
Leo Cullen hoping to avoid a fourth straight URC semi-final exit

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Cork dethrone Limerick after penalty shootout drama in Munster senior hurling final
Cork dethrone Limerick after penalty shootout drama in Munster senior hurling final

The Journal

time43 minutes ago

  • The Journal

Cork dethrone Limerick after penalty shootout drama in Munster senior hurling final

The 42 The 42 is the home of quality journalism for passionate Irish sports fans, bringing you closer to the stories that matter through insightful analysis and sharp sportswriting. Cork 1-30 Limerick 2-27 (Cork win 3-2 on penalties after extra-time) Advertisement CORK HAVE DETHRONED Limerick, and are Munster senior hurling champions for the first time since 2018 after an evening of drama at the Gaelic Grounds. A penalty shootout was required, where the Rebels won 3-2 and Limerick's seven in-a-row bid came crashing down on their home patch. The 42 Subscribers can read the full match report here (€) The 42′s award-winning team produces original content that you won't find anywhere else: on GAA, League of Ireland, women's sport and boxing, as well as our game-changing rugby coverage, all with an Irish eye.

This is how fans can apply for tickets for the BKT URC Grand Final at Croke Park
This is how fans can apply for tickets for the BKT URC Grand Final at Croke Park

Irish Daily Mirror

time2 hours ago

  • Irish Daily Mirror

This is how fans can apply for tickets for the BKT URC Grand Final at Croke Park

Leinster's showdown with the Bulls in the URC Grand Final will take place at Croke Park next Saturday (kick-off 5pm). It will be the first meeting of the clubs in the decider, after both came through their semi-finals on Saturday afternoon. Leinster dismissed defending champions Glasgow Warriors 37-19 at the Aviva Stadium, while the Bulls saw off the Sharks 25-13 at Loftus Versfeld. The Bulls, who have beaten Leinster in two semi-finals in the last three seasons, must travel to Dublin as Leinster are the competition's first seeds after topping the League phase. The Bulls, who finished in second place, have lost two Grand Finals. Leinster - eight-time league champions - are striving for their first silverware since 2021. Supporters who want to get the best seats with a 10% early bird discount can register for a 24-hour pre-sale window that goes live on Sunday, June 8 at 10am by signing up at Once the pre-sale window ends at 9am on Monday, the general ticket sale will begin at 10am - with ticket prices starting from €20. The game will be broadcast live on TG4 and Premier Sports in Ireland.

'We always feel like we have a point to prove' - Cullen pleased as Leinster step up
'We always feel like we have a point to prove' - Cullen pleased as Leinster step up

The 42

time3 hours ago

  • The 42

'We always feel like we have a point to prove' - Cullen pleased as Leinster step up

LEO CULLEN PLAYED down any suggestion Leinster's dominant semi-final win over Glasgow Warriors was motivated by criticism directed at the province over recent weeks. Leinster made light work of Glasgow in today's URC semi-final, crushing the Warriors in a six-try, 37-19 win. It was a statement performance after a sticky couple of weeks for the province. Cullen's men had struggled to hit top form since falling to a devasting Champions Cup semi-final loss to Northampton Saints last month, with last Saturday's unconvincing performance against Scarlets raising more questions than answers. Today Leinster answered those questions in emphatic fashion, controlling the game from start to finish. The pack was utterly dominant while the attack fizzed with an accuracy and invention that had been so sorely missing. Advertisement Most notably, there was an aggressive edge to Leinster. Cullen was asked if he felt his team had a point to prove heading into the game – on Friday, Leinster posted a video on social media captioned: 'We're not here to prove people wrong. We're here to prove ourselves right', which opened with a series of negative headlines about the team following recent performances. 'I've never heard that mantra but I wouldn't be a social media man. I don't know who that came from,' Cullen said. 'We always feel like we have a point to prove,' he continued. We're not here to prove people wrong. We're here to prove ourselves right. 🔵#LEIvGLA #NeverLessThanEverything — Leinster Rugby (@leinsterrugby) June 6, 2025 'Certainly I do anyway. Because that's just the nature of the job I'm in and the team are in a pretty similar situation so listen, we would love to go out and win every week. What have we played this season now? Eighteen regular season games and two knockout games, four pool Champions Cup games and three knockouts. What's that, 27 games, next week we get to play a 28th. A perfect season you get to play 29. We will get to play 28, we have lost three. Every week you play you feel like you have a point to prove. I don't think it's hugely different, to be honest. Can they play their best every week? Listen, they're not robots. There is an opposition that is fully motivated as well. It's about dusting ourselves off now, a very physical game and I'm sure the other one will be too. 'We don't have to travel too far for the final, thankfully. We need to make that count in how we go about preparing because that's a bit that we can control. There are other bits that we can't control, unfortunately.' The province can look forward to a URC final at Croke Park next Saturday, where Leinster will look to end a four-year trophy drought. 'There is joy for us in the fact that we have another week together. There are some great characters in the group that have been around a long, long time and have been great servants for the club,' Cullen said. 'It's making sure we have a great week now and get excited about putting on another performance, showing what it means to play for Leinster and to represent the province.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store