Indo Sport podcast: Do Leinster have a Jordie Barrett restriction? Semi-final ticket issues
Today at 15:44
Joe Molloy is joined by Cian Tracey and Ruaidhri O'Connor to look ahead to the Champions Cup semi-finals and review a bad weekend for the Irish provinces and the Ireland women's team.
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The 42
2 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.'
The Irish Sun
2 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Leinster power past Glasgow to book URC final date against the Bulls at Croke Park
Leinster head coach Leo Cullen is excited by the prospect of finishing out the season at Croke Park next weekend. That's after the Irish province overcame their recent United Rugby Championship semi-final hoodoo in clinical fashion at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday. Advertisement 2 Dan Sheehan and Jamie Osbourne bagged brace each in Leinster URC semi-final win over Glasgow in Dublin 2 Leinster now play the Bulls in the decider next weekend at Croke Park Playing in front of 15,762 spectators at the sparsely-populated Ballsbridge venue – a slight improvement on the 12,879 that attended their quarter-final win over Scarlets in the Aviva last weekend. Leo Cullen's side produced an accomplished display to defeat title holders Glasgow Warriors by 18 points and ease into next Saturday's showpiece in Croker. They will play the Bulls who saw off the Sharks 25-13 in today's all-South African semi-final. The Bulls got the better of Leinster at the penultimate phase of last season's URC – their third consecutive defeat at that stage of the competition – at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria. Advertisement read more on rugby But 2024/25 has now seen the Blues going at least one step further in their pursuit for top league honours. Speaking after today's win, Leo Cullen is relishing another trip back to Croke Park for Saturday's final. He said: 'Particularly when you're in South Africa, I'm pinching myself really in those stadiums. You do pinch yourself a little bit. "Personally I have so much respect for those teams. We were in South Africa last year for a semi-final, obviously lost in Loftus. Advertisement Most read in Rugby Union "It's not a great place to end the season. There's joy for us in the fact that we have another week together. It's great,' 'There are some great characters in the group that have been around a long, long time. Have been great servants to the club. I know every club will have their version of that as well. 'Big weekend' - Peter O'Mahony embarking on hectic gardening project as he aims to add '300 plants' 'It's making sure we have a great week now and get excited about putting on another performance. Show what it means to play for Leinster and show what it means to represent the province.' In an explosive start to the contest, Leinster and their Scottish counterparts both crossed over for tries inside the opening five minutes. Advertisement After Dan Sheehan dotted down in the third minute at the end of an elongated attack that was kick-started by Sam Prendergast booting an early penalty to touch. Glasgow immediately fired back as scrum-half George Horne bagged a five-pointer via a delicate chip into the '22' from Kyle Rowe. The fact that Horne couldn't match Prendergast in registering a successful conversion during these early exchanges ensured the hosts remained in a slender lead. And their cushion was extended to five points when Prendergast knocked over a routine penalty on 23 minutes. Advertisement The visitors were handed a reprieve after a Jamie Osborne try was retrospectively ruled out for a forward pass from Jamison Gibson-Park. But the Leinster outside centre eventually got his name on the scoresheet when a James Lowe offload released him for a 28th minute score in the left-corner. The eastern province were becoming more assured in their play as the action wore on and with Thomas Clarkson touching down in advance of front-row partner Sheehan claiming his second try of the half, they brought a commanding 25-5 buffer into the interval. Prendergast had been off-target with three of his four conversion attempts in the opening period and while he opted for a kickable penalty inside the opposition '22' at a right-hand angle 11 minutes into the second half. Advertisement His effort rebounded off the post and into the grateful arms of the Glasgow defence. Yet this wasn't a major concern for Leinster on the day and Cullen's men proceeded to place the outcome beyond any doubt in the third-quarter. Supplementing another Osborne try on 54 minutes – this time off an elaborate Gibson-Park pass – replacement back Ciaran Frawley got in on the scoring act with a simple five-pointer just shy of the hour mark. Glasgow eventually responded with impressive solo tries from Jamie Dobie and Sione Tuipulotu in the 72nd and 79th minutes respectively. Advertisement But despite not adding to their account in the closing quarter, Leinster comfortably advanced into next weekend's showdown at the home of the GAA. LEINSTER 37 GLASGOW WARRIORS 19 Scorers: Leinster: Tries: D Sheehan 2, J Osborne 2, T Clarkson, C Frawley. Cons: S Prendergast 2. Pens: S Prendergast. Glasgow Warriors: Tries: G Horne, J Dobie, S Tuipulotu. Cons: T Jordan 2. Leinster: J O'Brien; T O'Brien, J Osborne, J Barrett (C Frawley 56), J Lowe; S Prendergast (R Byrne 61), J Gibson-Park (L McGrath 70); A Porter (J Boyle 59), D Sheehan (R Kelleher 56), T Clarkson (R Slimani 56); J McCarthy, J Ryan (RG Snyman 56); R Baird, S Penny, J Conan (M Deegan 64). Advertisement Glasgow Warriors: J McKay; K Steyn, S Tuipulotu, T Jordan, K Rowe; A Hastings (S McDowall h-t), G Horne (J Dobie 52); J Bhatti (R Sutherland 45), G Hiddleston (J Matthews 45), F Richardson (S Talakai 45); A Samuel (M Williamson 45), S Cummings; E Ferrie (J Mann 73), R Darge, H Venter (M Duncan 59). Referee: A Piardi (FIR).
Irish Independent
3 hours ago
- Irish Independent
Wayne Lordan comes back to reap Derby reward after recovery from serious injury
However, the Lordan story does not begin and end within two days in June and when the 43-year-old was unshipped by San Antonio half a mile from home in the 2023 Irish Derby, some may have been forgiven for thinking that would be the end of his Classic dreams. Lordan suffered fractures to his legs and elbow, as well as a nasty laceration to his arm in an incident which left him not only knocked out but spending eight months on the sidelines. It is often said that loyalty is a two-way street and during his darkest days he knew he could count on Aidan O'Brien. The master of Ballydoyle was ready and waiting to repay one of his most trusted lieutenants for years of service and when the moment came, Lordan delivered a sublime ride to provide O'Brien with a record-extending 11th winner of the premier Classic. 'Racing is a tough game and lots of jockeys get injured and thankfully I had the support of Aidan and everybody at Coolmore to help me get back,' said Lordan. 'I suppose when you are coming back to ride horses like this it gives you an even stronger focus and I was lucky I had such a good job to come back to. 'I never wanted to be negative so I always told myself I would be fine even when it was tough. I tried to stay focused and got in the gym and just told myself I would soon be back.' When riding for O'Brien it is far from picking up scraps once Moore has had his say from the swelling team of Ballydoyle Classic prospects. But for a man who had finished third for O'Brien aboard Japan (2019) and subsequent Irish Derby hero Los Angeles 12 months ago, there was only one colt for him this time around, as O'Brien explained. 'I knew there were two horses Wayne wanted to ride this weekend and once Ryan knew what he was going to ride, Lambourn and Whirl were the ones Wayne wanted,' said O'Brien. With Moore and big-race favourite Delacroix only ninth and Irish champion Colin Keane and The Lion In Winter even further adrift, the stage was set for Lordan to steal the show and he had the perfect co-star for what was a spellbinding display. ADVERTISEMENT 'He was the first string for me anyway, so I was happy,' explained Lordan. 'When you're getting into racing, this is the race you want to ride in. I've run well in the Derby before and lost nothing in defeat, but I'm just glad today it worked out. 'I was happy once I passed the line, but there is always horses flying home here. I knew the ones coming to get me would have to stay well and there was always chance they would, but thankfully my horse is a tough, genuine horse.' After eight years of working for an operation created to thrive at Epsom in early June, Lordan's winning ride was one perhaps honed to perfection at Ballydoyle. Now he has his name etched forever on the long and distinguished roll of honour of the blue riband. O'Brien explained: 'Everything at Ballydoyle is about Epsom and this is how the thoroughbred breed is assessed every year. 'Everything at Ballydoyle is left-handed and every piece of work they do they practice going round our Tattenham Corner, even the sprinters. 'It's the ultimate test really and it has to be that. It's great for Wayne to win the Derby, he's a massive part of our team and he rides so many of our big horses in work. 'He's in every day and it's a privilege to have him. He's so straightforward and such a team player, but he can be ruthless when he has to be and he's strong and determined.'
