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Irish Times
2 hours ago
- General
- Irish Times
Tale of two provinces: Luke-warm Leinster stumble through as heroic Munster undone by penalties and theatrics
Leinster weren't at their best against Scarlets, but they were still comfortably good enough to earn a United Rugby Championship (URC) semi-final date with Glasgow. Leo Cullen's team will again have home advantage for Saturday's meeting with the Scottish side at the Aviva Stadium (2.45pm). However, it was Munster who took their fans on an emotional journey in South Africa, where they fell to Sharks in Kings Park after extra-time and a rancorous penalty shoot-out. It was Munster of old and a performance full of vim and fight against a Springbok-laden home side and a hostile crowd. The outcome was all the more heartbreaking as Munster came close to winning the match, which ended 24-24. The Irish province fell to one missed penalty kick, with Sharks nailing all six of theirs for a 6-4 win. Leinster will plan to put their game face on for an entire 80 minutes against Glasgow. They were never in fear of losing to Scarlets, but still found ways to make it hard for themselves. Afterwards, Leo Cullen dismissed suggestions that the modest attendance of 12,879 had anything to do with Leinster's overall performance in the 33-21 victory . 'No, no, no, no. I don't want to use that at all,' said the Leinster coach. 'We played here in front of empty stadiums in Covid and I would much rather have what we had there today. In no way am I giving out here.' READ MORE He suggested that the timing of the fixture wasn't optimal for supporters, saying: 'There is a reality, a shift. It is outside the norm and we all have our habitual bits to the make-up of our calendar, certain things we do at certain times of the year. We just need to make it more in the public consciousness among people that watch rugby. 'We'll just keep beating the drum. We are asking supporters to come out here again next Saturday. It is short. We had a two-week lead-in and this is one week, so it is more challenging again.' Hugo Keenan scores a try for Leinster during their URC quarter-final win against Scarlets. Photograph: Billy Stickland/Inpho Leinster also have some patching up to do. Both Jack Conan and RG Snyman picked up blood injuries while Josh van der Flier left the pitch in the first half with what appears to be a hamstring injury. 'It looked like it was his hammy, that's the report. So, he felt a bit of tightness again, he was struggling to run it off. Obviously, Scott [Penny] came in there' In Durban, Munster were seething after what looked like a clear attempt to distract Jack Crowley during the penalty shoot-out of their quarter-final with Sharks. Munster selected Crowley, Rory Scannell and Conor Murray for their kicks, while the Sharks chose Jaden Hendrikse, his brother Jordan, and Bradley Davids. I am absolutely devastated for the team, after all that the players had invested in this campaign — Ian Costello As Crowley lined up to take his kick, Jaden Hendrikse fell to the ground by the kicking tee, apparently suffering from cramp. The referee then stepped in, forcing Crowley to stop his routine and wait as Sharks medics treated Hendrikse. Proceedings then ventured into the absurd when television cameras showed the injured player winking as Crowley wandered over. It added to the suspicion that Hendrikse had deliberately collapsed to delay and frustrate the Munster outhalf. Full credit to Crowley, who maintained his composure to make his second kick, but Davids sealed the win for the Sharks, crushing Munster's hopes. Bradley Davids kicks the decisive penalty for Sharks. Photograph: Darren Stewart/Inpho/Steve Haag Sports Afterwards, Crowley and several of his teammates were fuming. They were seen to remonstrate with referee Mike Adamson and the Sharks backroom team for what appeared to be a blatant piece of gamesmanship. It was reminiscent of Tom Williams winking at the Harlequins bench in the infamous Bloodgate incident from a 2009 Heineken Cup quarter-final against Leinster. 'I am absolutely devastated for the team, after all that the players had invested in this campaign,' said Munster's interim head coach, Ian Costello. [ Matt Williams: Irish rugby should value the URC above the faltering Champions Cup Opens in new window ] 'At the same time, I'm unbelievably proud of the boys, how they stood up against such a good side and that is all the more reason to feel devastated that it had to finish like that.' The unhappy ending to the match also brought a disappointing close to the Munster careers of Murray, Peter O'Mahony and Stephen Archer. Costello added: 'The last week was very special with everyone wanting to play for them. And to see Conor under pressure nailing that kick at the end. . . they have given their everything for Munster and will be sorely missed.' Elsewhere, Glasgow beat Stormers 36-18 in Scotstoun Stadium to set up the meeting with Leinster. Bulls beat Edinburgh 42-33, making it an all-South African affair against Sharks in the other semi-final.
BBC News
2 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Leinster beat Scarlets to reach URC semi-finals
United Rugby Championship quarter-finalLeinster (15) 33Tries: Lowe, Gibson-Park, Osborne, Keenan Pens: Prendergast 3 Con: Prendergast 2Scarlets (14) 21Tries Rogers, Murray, Williams Cons: Costelow 3 Leinster set up a United Rugby Championship semi-final against Glasgow with victory over Scarlets at Aviva Stadium. The Irish province, who finished the regular season top of the table, opened up an early lead thanks to James Lowe and Jamison Gibson-Park tries. However, eighth seeds Scarlets hit back through Tom Rogers and Blair Murray before half-time to keep alive hopes of a shock Osborne and Hugo Keenan stretched Leinster's lead in the second half before Johnny Williams' try breathed new life into Scarlets' challenge. However, the home side were allowed to eased their way through the closing stages after Vaea Fifita's yellow card for a high tackle on Keenan took the wind out of the Scarlets' sails. While Scarlets' season comes to an end, they can look forward to a return to the Investec Champions Cup next term. Leinster, meanwhile, will face Glasgow - who they have beaten twice this season - at home next weekend for a place in the final on 14 June as they chase a first trophy since will, however, be concerns over British and Irish Lions flanker Josh van der Flier, who was injured and forced off in the first half. Coming into the game, Leinster had enough ammunition to guard against complacency, having fallen to the Scarlets in the URC last month before their European dreams were shattered by Northampton on this ground. However, despite racing into a 12-0 lead inside the opening 10 minutes, the firm favourites still made tough work of the first and Irish Lions squad members Lowe and Gibson-Park both crossed early to put the hosts in cruise control, but Scarlets were undeterred and hit back to cut the arrears to a point before the break. First, Rogers finished off a fine move in Scarlets' first visit to the Leinster 22 before a chaotic sequence to the opening half ended in Murray bringing the visitors back to within striking distance. In the last play before the interval, Leinster pushed for third try, but after Sam Prendergast spilled a pass in front of the Scarlets posts, Ellis Mee broke clear before Murray beat Jordie Barrett in a footrace to dot down, with the try standing after a television match official check on the full-back's grounding. With momentum on the side of a spirited Scarlets, Leinster rose to the challenge and responded strongly. Five minutes after the restart, Prendergast atoned for his part in Murray's to send Osborne through with a well-judged chip for another try which stood after a TMO check for grounding. Having stretched their lead, Leinster showcased their impressive squad depth by introducing Ireland hooker Dan Sheehan and South Africa's two-time World Cup winner RG Snyman. And after Scarlets prop Alec Hepburn was sin-binned for playing the ball on the ground at a ruck, it was Sheehan who charged down a kick and gave Barrett the opportunity to send Keenan through for Leinster's fourth Scarlets boss Dwayne Peel having replaced fly-half Sam Costelow with Ioan Lloyd, Williams briefly revived Scarlets' dream of toppling the hosts. However, after Fifita was sent to the bin, the game petered out, allowing Leinster to wrap up the win and set up a rematch with Glasgow. Line-ups Leinster: Hugo Keenan; Jimmy O'Brien, Jamie Osborne, Jordie Barrett, James Lowe; Sam Prendergast, Jamison Gibson-Park; Andrew Porter, Ronan Kelleher, Thomas Clarkson, Joe McCarthy, James Ryan, Ryan Baird, Josh van der Flier, Jack Conan (capt).Replacements: Dan Sheehan, Jack Boyle, Rabah Slimani, RG Snyman, Max Deegan, Scott Penny, Luke McGrath, Ciaran Blair Murray; Tom Rogers, Joe Roberts, Johnny Williams, Ellis Mee; Sam Costelow, Archie Hughes; Alec Hepburn, Ryan Elias, Henry Thomas, Alex Craig, Sam Lousi, Vaea Fifita, Josh Macleod (capt), Taine Marnus van der Merwe, Kemsley Mathias, Sam Wainwright, Dan Davis, Jarrod Taylor, Efan Jones, Ioan Lloyd, Macs Hepburn '55, Fifita '72Referee: Hollie Davidson (SRU)Assistant referees: Gianluca Gnecchi (FIR), Federico Vedovelli (FIR)TMO: Andrew McMenemy (SRU)
BBC News
3 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Osborne to partner Barrett as Ringrose misses out
Jordie Barrett and Jamie Osborne will form the centre partnership in Leinster's United Rugby Championship quarter-final against Scarlets at Aviva Stadium on Saturday (15:00 BST). Robbie Henshaw, who lined up alongside New Zealand international Barrett in Leinster's last game against Glasgow, was ruled out earlier this and Irish Lions squad member Garry Ringrose is not included in the Leinster 23. James Lowe returns to start on the left wing with Jimmy O'Brien set to make his 100th appearance for the province on the opposite side. Jamison Gibson-Park partners Sam Prendergast in the half-backs with Jack Conan again captaining the team from number eight in Caelan Doris' absence. With Ronan Kelleher named to start at hooker, Dan Sheehan is included on a strong-looking bench alongside Rabah Slimani and RG Snyman. In addition to Henshaw and Ringrose, Leinster boss Leo Cullen is without Lions prop Tadhg Furlong, with Thomas Clarkson picked at tight-head. Leinster: Keenan; J O'Brien, Osborne, Barrett, Lowe; Prendergast, Gibson-Park; Porter, Kelleher, Clarkson; McCarthy, Ryan; Baird, Van der Flier, Conan. Replacements: Sheehan, Boyle, Slimani, Snyman, Deegan, Penny, McGrath, Frawley.
Irish Times
3 days ago
- General
- Irish Times
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)
BBC News
3 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Scarlets to embrace 'greatest challenge' in Dublin
United Rugby Championship quarter-final: Leinster v ScarletsVenue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin Date: Saturday, 31 May Kick-off: 15:00 BSTCoverage: Watch on BBC One Wales, listen on BBC Radio Wales Extra, follow live text on BBC Sport online. Scarlets head coach Dwayne Peel says there is no greater task than facing Leinster in Dublin, but has urged his side to embrace the side are underdogs against the Irish team for the United Rugby Championship (URC) play-off quarter-final at the Aviva topped the league after the regular season, although one of only two defeats for Leo Cullen's men came against Scarlets in Llanelli in former Wales scrum-half Gareth Davies injured, Scarlets have named an unchanged 23 from the final-day league defeat against Stormers in Cape are missing Ireland centres Robbie Henshaw and Garry Ringrose, and British and Irish Lions prop Tadhg still include New Zealand centre Jordie Barrett, with the star-studded side led by Lions number eight Jack Conan, while Ireland hooker Dan Sheehan and South Africa lock RG Snyman are among the replacements. 'No shying away' Scarlets finished eighth in the URC following four late wins, with the prize tackling Leinster on their home turf."It's going to be a great occasion and a case of embracing it," said Peel."It's not about chasing five points, it's knockout rugby and it's all on the day."We want to go further, we want to push a great team in Leinster as far as we can."This is Scarlets' first appearance in the league play-offs since they were finalists in a 35-22 victory against a second-string Leinster last month, Scarlets have not won successive matches against the Irish side since 2015, but know they will be facing a different proposition this weekend."There's no greater task than going to Dublin and we're looking forward to that challenge," said Peel."We won't shy away from it, you've got to have confidence in your own group when you go there. "As much as they have some world-class names in their group, we've got some pretty good players and we're going to go there and give it the best we can." 'Welsh rugby looking for shining light' Peel faced more questions this week on the off-the-field uncertainty surrounding Welsh rugby with Scarlets and Ospreys in dispute with the Welsh Rugby are suggestions the WRU is contemplating cutting a professional team with the two west Wales regions in a more precarious position that Cardiff and Dragons having not signed the new Professional Rugby Agreement (PRA).Scarlets are the only Welsh side to have reached the play-offs during a season in which the Wales men's national side extended their losing international streak to a record 17 have former Scarlets and Wales forwards coach Robin McBryde in their backroom staff. McBryde stated in February he feared rugby has lost its soul in Wales and called the situation "very sad" after Warren Gatland had left his role as head coach."It has been a difficult year for Welsh rugby so everybody is looking for some sort of shining light," said McBryde."Hopefully it [Welsh rugby] will get back to where it was before."I am not sure if Scarlets feel they have nothing to lose and can throw the kitchen sink at it against us."If so that could make them an even more dangerous team. "It's fuel for them to come here and prove a point. So Scarlets will turn up and fancy their chances and be a stern test for us." Leinster looking to recover from Northampton hangover Leinster are reeling from their Challenge Cup semi-final defeat by Northampton at the Aviva Stadium earlier this month."Everybody has looked at themselves across the board since the Northampton defeat," said McBryde."We have had a couple of good sessions where we have had some honest feedback of where we can improve. "We have spoken about it as players and coaches. Was our mindset in the right frame of mind going into that game? Did we think we had a right to be in the final? I don't know."We have fallen short again in the Champions Cup so hopefully we can go a step further in the URC this season.""The URC quarter-finals gives us another opportunity to show we can do that in a knockout phase of a competition because in the last three seasons up to this point of the year we have been pretty good. This is Leinster's 10th successive appearance in the play-offs, but they have not won the league title since 2021, which was the last of four straight successes."It's one game at a time," said McBryde."If we can be good enough on the weekend and beat what is a very cohesive Scarlets team then we will end up reaching the same stage as the last three seasons."It will be give us an opportunity to go a step further, but that's about it. You can't take anything for granted and it's all on the day."We have seen in the past teams come to play against Leinster in the Aviva and raise their game."Scarlets will be a tough nut to crack. We are going to have to take care of our own business and make sure we are learning lessons quickly." How they line up Leinster: Hugo Keenan; Jimmy O'Brien, Jamie Osborne, Jordie Barrett, James Lowe; Sam Prendergast, Jamison Gibson-Park; Andrew Porter, Ronan Kelleher, Thomas Clarkson, Joe McCarthy, James Ryan, Ryan Baird, Josh van der Flier, Jack Conan (capt).Replacements: Dan Sheehan, Jack Boyle, Rabah Slimani, RG Snyman, Max Deegan, Scott Penny, Luke McGrath, Ciaran Blair Murray; Tom Rogers, Joe Roberts, Johnny Williams, Ellis Mee; Sam Costelow, Archie Hughes; Alec Hepburn, Ryan Elias, Henry Thomas, Alex Craig, Sam Lousi, Vaea Fifita, Josh Macleod (capt), Taine Marnus van der Merwe, Kemsley Mathias, Sam Wainwright, Dan Davis, Jarrod Taylor, Efan Jones, Ioan Lloyd, Macs Hollie Davidson (SRU)Assistant referees: Gianluca Gnecchi (FIR), Federico Vedovelli (FIR)TMO: Andrew McMenemy (SRU).
