Leo Cullen plans for penalties as Leinster target URC final breakthrough in Glasgow semi-final
LEO CULLEN wants Leinster to kick on to the URC final — and he is ready for kicks to decide it if it comes to that.
Advertisement
2
Leinster boss Leo Cullen admitted that he's left no stone unturned ahead of the URC semi-final against Glasgow
2
Munster suffered a heartbreaking defeat via penalties against the Sharks last week - and Leinster boss Cullen is ready for that if needs be
And while favourites for victory, Cullen is taking no chances as he admitted
He said: 'I don't know was the fact there was a penalty shootout in one of the games last week, does that play on our minds, stacking the bench with kickers?
'It is a possibility and it is definitely something that needs to be considered.'
What it means is that, as well as Ciarán Frawley, Ross Byrne is
Advertisement
read more on rugby
Frawley normally covers No 10 when he is on the bench but will now cover midfield and full-back.
And, along with Prendergast, it gives Leinster three quality kickers in their panel as the Blues head into their fifth knockout game of the season between the Champions Cup and the URC.
Shootouts are a rarity in rugby and Leinster have never been in one. But Cullen's men have been preparing for that eventuality over the past two months.
Cullen continued: 'It has been there. This is play-off game five.
Advertisement
Most read in Rugby Union
'Extra-time has been in the mix for a while now so it's one of those scenarios that we would talk about and practice for the kickers.'
But while Leinster prepare for all eventualities as they bid to get to the final, Cullen is confident that motivation is one area that does not need addressing.
'Big weekend' - Peter O'Mahony embarking on hectic gardening project as he aims to add '300 plants'
Ever since that agonising 37-34 loss to Northampton, a cloud has hung over the province.
But a URC final and victory would end a four-year trophy drought.
Advertisement
And
He said: 'I was watching the Champions League and a lot of the pundits were saying the other team was going to win. They lost.
'We think we might know what's going to happen but it's two teams going at it and we'll wait and see.
'There's enough going on to be motivated to get through this game at the weekend. If you put on and get a performance, lots of things will fall into place.'
Advertisement
Cullen's troops are near full strength but Lions quartet Garry Ringrose (calf), Tadhg Furlong (calf), Josh van der Flier (hamstring) and Hugo Keenan (calf) will not be risked as they near returns.
Their absences open the door for Jimmy O'Brien at full-back and Scott Penny — overlooked by Ireland for the upcoming games against Georgia and Portugal this week — on the flank, while Jamie Osborne starts in midfield.
Osborne, 23, has played in all five backline slots this season but Cullen admits midfield may be his best position.
He said: 'We have had that conversation with Jamie.
Advertisement
'He's played 15 for Ireland, on the wing in the Six Nations and has featured in the centre. He's more of a midfielder or No 15. I don't think we see him on the wing anyway.
'He can do a job on the wing, but we don't see him as a winger, he's a midfielder who plays 15 or a 15 that plays midfield.
'He's still very young at 23. If he's nailed down a position as a 25-year-old, you'd hope he'd have ten years left in his career.'
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. Reps: R Kelleher, J Boyle, R Slimani, RG Snyman, M Deegan, L McGrath, R Byrne, C Frawley.
Advertisement
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Journal
18 minutes ago
- The Journal
Leinster beat Glasgow to book their place in URC Grand 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. Leinster 37 Glasgow Warriors 19 LEINSTER WILL HAVE a chance to win a first trophy in four seasons after booking their place in next week's United Rugby Championship Grand Final in Croke Park. Two tries apiece from Dan Sheehan and Jamie Osborne, as well as tries from Thomas Clarkson and Ciarán Frawley, helped Leo Cullen's side to a 37-19 win against Glasgow Warriors in the Aviva Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The 42 Subscribers can read the full match report here (€) Try The 42 for Just €1 Limited-time offer for new subscribers Unlock every article and every podcast The only place to read Murray Kinsella, Gavin Cooney, Declan Bogue & more Specialist analysis that makes sense of the action Weekly fan-favourite rugby, football and GAA podcasts Unmissable sportswriting and features that you won't find anywhere else Get Your €1 Trial Now Advertisement
Irish Times
22 minutes ago
- Irish Times
Leinster overcome champions Glasgow to set up URC final at Croke Park
URC semi-final: Leinster 37 Glasgow 19 Leinster will host next week's United Rugby Championship final at Croke Park after dishing out a 37-19 beating to last year's winners Glasgow Warriors . The province, which has endured three straight URC semi-final defeats, regained their mojo to set up a Dublin decider against the Bulls or Sharks, who meet in the second semi-final on Saturday evening (kick-off 5.15pm). Dan Sheehan started and finished the first half's try-scoring to give Leinster a 25-5 lead as Jamie Osborne and Tom Clarkson also crossed at a rain-hit Aviva Stadium. Osborne and Ciaran Frawley made it six tries to one before closing scores from Jamie Dobie and Sione Tuipulotu added to George Horne's fourth-minute effort. READ MORE Which Ireland players will step up for the summer squad while the Lions are away? Listen | 27:53 The hosts hit the ground running with Jamison Gibson-Park pulling the trigger for Sheehan to raid over in the second minute. Glasgow swiftly cut the gap to 7-5 when Kyle Rowe's inviting kick infield was dotted down by Horne. Crossing from James Lowe denied Leinster a second try before Sam Prendergast slotted over a 21st-minute penalty. A Gibson-Park forward pass ruled out an Osborne score but the young centre duly scored out wide from a slick Lowe offload. Leinster's Ciarán Frawley scores a try. Photograph: Billy Stickland/Inpho Leinster turned a scrum penalty into five more points when Clarkson rumbled over and Sheehan's maul try came on the stroke of half-time. Despite Tom Jordan switching to fly-half for the Warriors, Leinster, aided by Ryan Baird's player-of-the-match performance, remained in full control. Following a penalty miss from Prendergast, who had a disappointing day with the boot, Gibson-Park clinically played in Osborne in the 53rd minute to make it 32-5. Replacement Frawley followed him over the line just four minutes later, with Lowe's initial aerial take igniting a sweeping move. Leinster's Ryan Baird is tackled by Glasgow's Sione Tuipulotu. Photograph: Dan Sheridan/Inpho Sprung from the Scots' bench, Dobie raced over in the 71st minute and Tuipulotu displayed his dancing feet with a superb solo try from the edge of Leinster's 22. SCORING SEQUENCE – 2 mins: Sheehan try, Prendergast con 7-0; 4: Horne try 7-5; Prendergast pen 10-5; 27: Osborne try 15-5; 32: Clarkson try 20-5; Half-time 20-5 ; 40: Sheehan try 25-5; 53: Osborne try, Prendergast con 32-5; 57: Frawley try 37-5; 71: Dobie try, Jordan con 37-12; 78: Tuipulotu try, Jordan con 37-19. LEINSTER: J O'Brien; T O'Brien, J Osborne, J Barrett, J Lowe; S Prendergast, J Gibson-Park; A Porter, D Sheehan, T Clarkson; J McCarthy, J Ryan; R Baird, S Penny, J Conan (capt). Replacements: R Kelleher for Sheehan, C Frawly for Barrett, RG Snyman for Ryan (all 55 mins), R Slimani for Clarkson, J Boyle for Porter (both 59), R Byrne for Prendergast (60), M Deegan for Conan (63), L McGrath for Gibson-Park (69). GLASGOW WARRIORS: J McKay; K Steyn (capt), S Tuipulotu, T Jordan, K Rowe; A Hastings, G Horne; J Bhatti, G Hiddleston, F Richardson; A Samuel, S Cummings; E Ferrie, R Darge, H Venter. Replacements: S McDowall for Hastings (h-t), J Matthews for Hiddleston, R Sutherland for Bhatti, S Talakai for Richardson, M Williamson for Samuel (all 44 mins), J Dobie for Horne (51), Duncan for Venter (59), J Mann for Ferrie (72). Referee: A Piardi (Italy).
RTÉ News
37 minutes ago
- RTÉ News
Leinster set up Croke Park URC final with big win over Glasgow Warriors
Leinster marched into a first BKT URC final since 2021 with a comprehensive 37-19 victory over defending champions Glasgow Warriors. After a subdued month in the aftermath of their Champions Cup semi-final loss to Northampton, this was more like the Leinster their fans are accustomed to. They raced into a 20-point lead at the break, thanks to tries from Dan Sheehan (2), Jamie Osborne and Thomas Clarkson. It was more of the same in the second half with Osborne and Ciarán Frawley crossing to the muted delight of the 15,762 in attendance at the Dublin 4 venue. The 2024 winners, who had been beaten twice already in Dublin by Leinster this season, offered little in the way of real resistance as their reign came to an end, although two late consolations helped put a gloss on the scoreboard. Leo Cullen's side, who lost at the semi-final stage in each of the last three seasons since the South African franchises joined the competition, will meet Bulls or Stormers in Croke Park next Saturday as they bid for a first trophy in four seasons. Leinster wasted no time getting on the board with Tommy O'Brien winning a jackal penalty on the 22 from the kick-off. Two minutes later, after sustained pressure close to the line, hooker Sheehan (above) powered over with out-half Sam Prendergast slotting the conversion. But the Warriors hit back immediately with a try that will annoy Leinster defence guru Jacques Nienaber. They earned a lineout on halfway from the restart and after a phase in midfield, quickly shifted the ball wide where Kyle Rowe had no trouble rounding Andrew Porter. The wing chipped ahead and George Horne found himself on his own and dotted but, with Adam Hastings wide off the tee. 5mins: LEIN 7-5 GLA Glasgow responded perfectly on their first attack of the game to make it an exciting start in the Aviva. 📺 @rte2 & @rteplayer 📻 Saturday Sport on @rteradio1 Live updates 👇 — RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) June 7, 2025 Both defences held sway for the next 17 minutes but there was no shortage of flashpoints. The visitors couldn't make anything of a promising lineout on the 22, while Leinster twice gave away penalties close to the Glasgow line, one of which resulted in a bout of pushing and shoving after James Lowe was penalised for obstruction. Prendergast pushed the Leinster lead out with a straightforward kick after a scrum penalty and Cullen's men were denied a second try when the TMO spotted a needless forward pass by Jamison Gibson-Park before Osborne ran in. But that only delayed the celebrations momentarily as the centre raced in on the wing after Jimmy O'Brien, and Lowe combined to create the space on the short side. 27mins: LEIN 15-5 GLA Jamie Osborne puts the disappointment of a disallowed try behind him immediately. Prendergast sets it out right to miss the conversion. 📺 @rte2 & @rteplayer 📻 Saturday Sport on @rteradio1 Live updates 👇 — RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) June 7, 2025 Leinster were really beginning to get the upper hand in the air, the breakdown and scrum, and after declining a sure three points from a penalty, scored a third try following a close-range lineout. Lowe came off his wing to try and power in but prop Clarkson was on hand to fight his way over the line to give Leinster a 20-5 lead. They effectively killed off the game as a contest with the clock in first-half overtime when Sheehan scored another trademark lineout maul try; Prendergast was once again off target with his conversion but the hosts had a healthy 20-point advantage. Leinster, with Ryan Baird named player of the match, began the second half in the front foot with Jordie Barrett knocking on on the line and Prendergast missing a long-range dropgoal attempt and a penalty as Glasgow held on by their fingertips. 54min: LEIN 32-5 GLA Another outstanding looping pass from Gibson-Park finds Osborne who launches over to extend Leinster's lead further against an under-pressure Glasgow. 📺 @rte2 & @rteplayer 📻 Saturday Sport on @rteradio1 Live updates 👇 — RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) June 7, 2025 But they were under severe pressure and after referee Andrea Piardi had issued a warning for consistent infringements, Osborne got on the end of Gibson-Park's flat pass to flop over the line close to the posts. Leinster unloaded their bench and Frawley, who had replaced Barrett, scrored the next try in the corner minutes later, after Lowe sparked the attack by fielding a high ball on the wing. 57min: LEIN 37-5 GLA Ciarán Frawley only on the field a few minutes and gets Leinster's sixth try of the game from a Tommy O'Brien setup. 📺 @rte2 & @rteplayer 📻 Saturday Sport on @rteradio1 Live updates 👇 — RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) June 7, 2025 With Franco Smith's side running out of numbers, Scott Penny, Jack Conan and Tommy O'Brien combined to set up the utility back. It was starting to resemble a training session for the eight-time winners as the half progressed with Glasgow bowing to the inevitable. They did manage late consolation tries through Jamie Dobie and Sione Tuipulotu but Leinster focus had already turned to a first URC-era Grand Final decider against South African opposition. FT: LEIN 37-19 GLA Joe McCarthy: 'Everyone loves to hate Leinster and that drives us on'. 📺 @rte2 & @rteplayer 📻 Saturday Sport on @rteradio1 Live updates 👇 — RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) June 7, 2025 Leinster: Jimmy O'Brien; Tommy O'Brien, Jamie Osborne, Jordie Barrett, James Lowe; Sam Prendergast, Jamison Gibson-Park; Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan, Thomas Clarkson; Joe McCarthy, James Ryan; Ryan Baird, Scott Pennny, Jack Conan (capt). Replacements: Rónan Kelleher (for Sheehan 56), Jack Boyle (Porter 60), Rabah Slimani (Clarkson 56), RG Snyman (Ryan 56), Max Deegan (Conan 64), Luke McGrath (Gibson-Park 70), Ross Byrne (Prendergast 61), Ciarán Frawley (Barrett 56). Glasgow Warriors: Josh McKay, Kyle Steyn (capt), Sione Tuipulotu, Tom Jordan, Kyle Rowe; Adam Hastings, George Horne; Jamie Bhatti, George Hiddleston, Fin Richardson; Alex Samuel, Scott Cummings; Euan Ferrie, Rory Darge, Henco Venter Replacements: Johnny Matthews (Hiddleston 45), Rory Sutherland (Bhatti 45), Sam Talakai (Richardson 45), Max Williamson (Samuel 45), Jack Mann (Ferrie 73), Macenzzie Duncan (Venter 59), Stafford McDowall (Hastings h/t), Jamie Dobie (Horne 52).
