URC semi-final: Build-up as Leinster host defending champions Glasgow

BBC News

7 hours ago

Update:
Date: 14:40 BST
Title: Smith confident Glasgow peaking at right time for semi-final
Content: Leinster v Glasgow Warriors (14:45 BST)
Glasgow Warriors head coach Franco Smith believes his side have put their recent heavy European defeat against Leinster behind them as they return to Dublin to face the favourites in the URC semi-finals on Saturday.
Warriors were whitewashed 52-0 in their Champions Cup quarter-final but Smith has consigned that to history and says his side are peaking at the right time, as planned, despite being underdogs.
"I think that's something of the past," he said. "Different competition. We've learned from it and we've moved on.
"We've planned from the first day of pre-season how we want to look and how you want to shape up in the final [games].
"We've handled the season well. We've managed to get some of our players back from injury and we allowed them back into the environment at the right time and hopefully we're in a good place, now that we're going to the semi."
Smith knows his reigning champions face a stiff test to reach back-to-back finals, citing the players' mindset as key.
"It's everything and I think every game is about the mindset," he said.
"The difficulty is to maintain that for 39 weeks in the year. The mindset and approach and attitude in a final game is obviously the main ingredient.
"We've got to be on top of our game. They've got a world-class team, they've proven it in the Test match arena, they've proven it in this competition. It's a class outfit.
"It's going to be a tough challenge. The only way we're going to get better and keep on growing and progressing is if we challenge ourselves to be the best version of ourselves."
Update:
Date: 14:36 BST
Title: Fatigue not an issue for Leinster - Nienaber
Content: Leinster v Glasgow Warriors (14:45 BST)
For much of the Leinster squad, the past month has stirred a broad spectrum of emotions.
There was the agony of an Investec Champions Cup semi-final loss at home to Northampton, denying the province a shot at redemption after a hat-trick of final defeats in the previous three seasons.
Just a few days later, the bulk of the squad were confronted with the whirlwind that is British and Irish Lions squad announcement day.
For most of them, it was good news, but for those who missed out it was another bitter pill so soon after their Champions Cup demise.
Jacques Nienaber - under whom the team's defence has thrived - does not sense depleted levels of energy or focus within the group.
"No, not at all," said the 52-year-old South African.
"We're cracking on. It's a privilege for any team to be involved in the knock-out stages.
"It's a privilege for us definitely to be testing ourselves against Glasgow this weekend, the reigning champions, who obviously understand how to play knock-out games if you look at what they did last year. It's a privilege to test ourselves against a quality side like that."
Update:
Date: 14:32 BST
Title: Can Glasgow take advantage of Leinster's 'performance anxiety'?
Content: Leinster v Glasgow Warriors (14:45 BST)
Former European Cup winner with Leinster Bernard Jackman spoke on BBC's Scotland Rugby Podcast this week and hinted that there is a bit of 'performance anxiety' for the boys in blue.
You can read the best bits of Jackman's comments here
Update:
Date: 14:29 BST
Title: Glasgow look to bust Aviva curse
Content: Leinster v Glasgow Warriors (14:45)
Andy BurkeBBC Sport Scotland at Aviva Stadium, Dublin
If Glasgow are to advance to a second successive URC final they'll have to do something no Scottish side - club or international - has ever done - win at the Aviva Stadium.
This place has been a graveyard for Scottish sides down the years, not least when Leinster crushed Warriors 52-0 here in the Champions Cup quarter-final eight weeks ago.
A shadow Glasgow side put up a much sterner test when going down 13-5 in the URC three weeks ago, and after a stirring showing in dispatching the Stormers in the quarter-finals last week, there's a sense that Warriors are starting to put it together at the right time once again.
Leinster on the other hand are having a bit of a wobble after their shock Champions Cup semi-final defeat to Northampton, and while they undoubtedly remain strong favourites, this match is not the mismatch it may have looked a few short weeks ago.
Update:
Date: 14:25 BST
Title: Team News
Content: Leinster v Glasgow Warriors (14:45 BST)
Ireland full-back Hugo Keenan will miss today's game in what is a blow to Leo Cullen's men.
Keenan, who was named in the British and Irish Lions squad last month, is not included in Leo Cullen's matchday squad for the Aviva Stadium contest with the holders after picking up a calf injury.
The 28-year-old, who produced a player-of-the-match display in last week's quarter-final win over Scarlets, is replaced by Jimmy O'Brien in the 15 shirt.
With Jimmy O'Brien switching to full-back, Tommy O'Brien replaces his him on the right wing after missing the Scarlets game through injury.
Dan Sheehan returns at hooker, with Ronan Kelleher dropping to the bench, while Scott Penny replaces the injured Josh van der Flier at open-side flanker.
In addition to Van der Flier, Garry Ringrose and Tadhg Furlong are also unavailable.
Glasgow make two changes from their quarter-final win over the Stormers, with Fin Richardson replacing Murphy Walker at tight-head prop.
Adam Hastings starts at fly-half with Tom Jordan moving to inside centre and Stafford McDowall dropping to the bench.
Glasgow are without Huw Jones, Matt Fagerson, Jack Dempsey and Zander Fagerson.
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 Penny, Jack Conan (capt)
Replacements: Ronan Kelleher, Jack Boyle, Rabah Slimani, RG Snyman, Max Deegan, Luke McGrath, Ross Byrne, Ciaran Frawley
Glasgow: 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, Rory Sutherland, Sam Talakai, Max Williamson, Jack Mann, Macenzzie Duncan, Stafford McDowall, Jamie Dobie
Referee: Andrea Piardi (Italy​​)
Update:
Date: 14:16 BST
Title: Welcome to the Aviva Stadium
Content: Leinster v Glasgow Warriors (14:45 BST)
Hello and welcome to our coverage of the first United Rugby Championship semi-final of the day as Leinster host Glasgow Warriors.
Franco Smith's men have already been put to the sword twice here in as many months but the defending champions arrive in Dublin full of confidence after their 36-18 quarter-final victory over the Stormers.
Leinster, meanwhile, will be hoping it is second time lucky in a semi-final here after their shock defeat to Northampton in the Champions Cup last four just 35 days ago. They are back at the Aviva today a week after defeating the Scarlets 33-21 on the same ground.
Can Leo Cullen's men make their first final since winning in 2021 or will the Warriors win in the Irish capital for the first time in six years and earn a spot in a second consecutive final in South Africa?
It is sure to be a thriller. Thank you for joining us.