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Leinster v Connacht – Preview, Teams, Odds, Where To Watch

JoeNa Connacht — Thu, 30 May 2024 10:46:54 +0000

Leinster vs Connacht: Clash of Irish Provinces in URC Showdown

Kick-off: 7:35 pm, Friday, 31st May 2024

Venue: RDS Arena, Dublin

Match Preview

Leinster will welcome Connacht to the RDS Arena for their second interprovincial clash of the season and the final round of the 2023/24 United Rugby Championship (URC). Kick-off is scheduled for 7:35 pm on Friday. After a heartbreaking extra-time loss in the Champions Cup last weekend, Leinster faces a quick turnaround for this game.

Leinster’s Recent Form and Team News

Leinster are coming off a grueling Champions Cup match that extended into extra time, resulting in a tough loss. Given the emotional and physical toll of that match, it’s likely that Leinster will rest many of their key players for this URC fixture. Expect a lineup similar to the one that featured in their South African tour, giving opportunities to younger and less experienced squad members.

Leinster’s head coach Leo Cullen has named a team with a mix of experienced and fresh faces. Scott Penny will captain the side, with Rhys Ruddock making his 229th appearance before retirement. Jamie Osborne and Ciarán Frawley, who starred in the Champions Cup Final, start in the center. Sam Prendergast and Cormac Foley form a new half-back pairing.

Leinster Starting XV:

1. Ed Byrne
2. Rónan Kelleher
3. Thomas Clarkson
4. Ross Molony
5. Brian Deeny
6. Rhys Ruddock
7. Scott Penny (C)
8. Jack Conan
9. Cormac Foley
10. Sam Prendergast
11. Rob Russell
12. Ciarán Frawley
13. Jamie Osborne
14. Tommy O’Brien
15. Jimmy O’Brien

Leinster Replacements:

16. Dan Sheehan
17. Michael Milne
18. Michael Ala’alatoa
19. Ryan Baird
20. Max Deegan
21. Luke McGrath
22. Harry Byrne
23. Charlie Ngatai

Connacht’s Form and Team News

Connacht has struggled over the past four months, reflecting a team in need of morale boosts. Despite these challenges, head coach Pete Wilkins has named a relatively strong squad for this fixture. Key players like Bundee

Where To Watch

The match will be available to watch on TG4, Premier Sports 2 and URC TV.

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Leinster and Ulster to face off in highly-anticipated last-16 match at Aviva Stadium

JoeNa Connacht — Thu, 26 Jan 2023 15:37:52 +0000

Leinster and Ulster set to clash in Heineken Champions Cup last-16 showdown at Aviva Stadium.

The highly anticipated Interpro will begin at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 1st, with the winner advancing to the quarter-finals against either Leicester Tigers or Edinburgh.

The game will be broadcast live and free on RTÉ.

With a potential sellout crowd of 50,000 expected, this match is sure to be one of the tournament’s highlights.

Munster will also be in action on April 1st, when they take on the Cell C Sharks in Durban, with the possibility of facing Toulouse or the Vodacom Bulls in the quarter-finals.

Meanwhile, Connacht’s last-16 Challenge Cup match against Benneton has been scheduled for 3 p.m. on April 1st at Stadio di Monigo. in Treviso. The stage is set for an unforgettable weekend of European Rugby action

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Leinster v Bath – Preview, Teams, Odds, Where To Watch

JoeNa Connacht — Fri, 10 Dec 2021 13:42:06 +0000

Leinster begin their European campaign this season when they welcome Bath to the Aviva Stadium on Saturday afternoon at 3:15 pm.

The two sides are in contrasting form heading into the tie – Leinster have only lost one game from seven while Bath are yet to win a game, losing nine times in a row to start their season.

The Irish provincial outfit’s form is down to the synergy they have nurtured over the years, and now with a full squad at their disposal at all times of the year, they are reaping the rewards of their past rotations.

The forwards are currently outscoring the backs by 21 tries to nine for the Pro14 champions, but are doing so because they are joining attacking phases in wide positions – for example, hooker Dan Sheehan’s try against Connacht.

Bath, on the other hand, have leaked tries and it’s clear that their chemistry is not up to scratch, especially when holes appear in the defensive line several times in every game that they have played.

They have conceded 297 points so far this season – an average of 33 per game – and 142 of those points came inside two games against Gloucester and Saracens, but Leinster have never scored more than 56 against their upcoming opponent.

However, Bath are good at breaking through opposition lines themselves and their attack has benefitted from this – their 18 carries per line break is joint-third-highest in the Gallagher Premiership.

Three Leinster players have contracted Covid-19 and will be unavailable to line out for their team as a result but a strong team was named nonetheless.

Six Bath players will earn their Champions Cup debuts on this season’s opening weekend.

Teams

Leinster

15. Hugo Keenan (35)
14. Jordan Larmour (66)
13. Garry Ringrose (91)
12. Ciarán Frawley (41)
11. James Lowe (56)
10. Ross Byrne (110)
9. Jamison Gibson-Park (105)

1. Andrew Porter (81)
2. Rónan Kelleher (29)
3, Tadhg Furlong (117)
4. Ross Molony (122)
5. Ryan Baird (33)
6. Rhys Ruddock (195) CAPTAIN
7. Josh van der Flier (103)
8. Caelan Doris (44)

Replacements:

16. Dan Sheehan (18)
17. Cian Healy (237)
18. Michael Ala’alatoa (6)
19. Devin Toner (270)
20. Max Deegan (70)
21. Luke McGrath (157)
22. Jimmy O’Brien (37)
23. Tommy O’Brien (12)

Bath

Odds

Leinster 1/200

Draw 70/1

Bath 35/1

Where To Watch

The game will be televised on BT Sport and beIN Sports. Coverage starts at 3 pm.

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‘They’re scoring our tries for us’ – Leinster fullback Hugo Keenan

JoeNa Connacht — Wed, 08 Dec 2021 13:00:23 +0000

The Leinster forwards have started this season off in fantastic fashion with their work evident in all areas of the pitch.

What’s most interesting about the provincial pack’s season so far is their attacking output – as it stands, they’re outscoring the club’s backs by two to one (21-9).

The reasons for this involve several factors – for example, where they are positioned and how they operate set-pieces.

Hooker Dan Sheehan’s latest effort against Connacht underlines how forwards have developed in today’s game – the number two received the ball out wide and stepped Mack Hansen to get a clear run to the try line. Anyone that used Sky Bet sign up offer to back Leinster -30 collected the 5/1.

The multi-faceted ability of their forwards has only made Leinster a more dangerous threat to their opponents and fullback Hugo Keenan is happy to see his teammates perform so well.

“It’s brilliant – sure they’re scoring our tries for us,” Keenan exclaimed. “Dan Sheehan will be taking our jobs soon out on the wing.

“It’s great to have that talent in the pack. There’s some serious athletes coming through now and it definitely adds a different dynamic to the team and we’re lucky to have it.”

“The list goes on of lads that are in that category as well – it doesn’t happen just for no reason – it’s the work they do in training, the work they do in the gym and, yeah, it’s great to see that it’s paying off now.”

Keenan has noted that the growth of forwards such as Sheehan and flanker Josh Van Der Flier has changed the way he approaches an attack.

Van Der Flier has been dubbed ‘Van Der Flier 2.0’ in recent times as the Wicklow forward has greatly improved his ball-carrying ability in the last year, offering a strong threat with the ball in his hands as well as at the breakdown.

“He’s doing incredible, isn’t he? He’s such a hard worker, you see it in training everyday – he’s a bit of a student game, isn’t he?

“He’s improving so much and any feedback he gets from coaches, he’s so good at taking it on board and learning from it. He’s finding himself out in the wide channels a bit more so he’s working with the outside backs a bit and it’s paying dividends, isn’t it? He’s playing great rugby.”

Several Leinster forwards tend to find themselves in a wide position on phased attacking play, with number eight Jack Conan and hookers Sheehan and Rónan Kelleher being the usual suspects in this case.

In particular, the back row as a unit are known to find themselves in these sort of attacking positions – the likes of Caelan Doris and Dan Leavy can also be seen out wide on occasion.

The development only follows the trend in Leinster of mobile forwards, with those already mentioned serving as fine examples of what to expect from one.

Leinster forwards coach Robin McBryde described them as ‘modern-day forwards’ when speaking about the attacking impact several Leinster pack members had for Ireland last month.

Keenan, who has played full back for Ireland since making his debut last year, has said that he finds himself getting on the shoulder of the Leinster forwards more often.

“I think it’s not just [Van Der Flier], it’s about everyone flooding those channels when there’s a bit of a break.

“I think it was Mike Ala’alaatoa who got on the shoulder of Josh and then Ringer (Garry Ringrose) on Mike’s shoulders.

“That’s always positive to see and it’s something that Felipe (Contepomi) would be big on – winning those races and getting into that space.

“I think it is something that [Van Der Flier’s] improved and people are naturally trying to run off him now but it’s across the board as well.”

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Garry Ringrose signs new three-year IRFU contract

JoeNa Connacht — Wed, 08 Dec 2021 11:51:19 +0000

Ireland centre Garry Ringrose has put pen to paper on a new three-year IRFU deal that will see him represent both Leinster and the country until the end of the 2024/25 season.

Ringrose has amassed 37 caps for Ireland since making his debut against Canada in 2016 and recently started all three Autumn Nations Series games last month.

Ringrose has won a Grand Slam with Ireland and was on their Rugby World Cup squad for the ill-fated 2019 campaign.

The 26-year-old is close to becoming a centurion with Leinster, sitting ten appearances away from such an honour currently.

He has won four Pro14 titles with the provincial outfit, as well as a Champions Cup in 2018.

IRFU High Performance Director, David Nucifora commented: “Garry has had a tough road with injuries since the World Cup in Japan but he is a top international player who delivers big performances for Ireland and Leinster.

“He will be an influential figure at both national and provincial level over the coming years.”

Garry Ringrose commented: “Delighted to sign for another three years. It is an exciting time to be involved with Leinster and Ireland.

“Both squads have ambition to be competing for silverware every year and I’m motivated to do whatever I can to contribute”

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‘Rónan and Dan epitomise what Leinster want from their forwards’ – Lancaster

JoeNa Connacht — Tue, 07 Dec 2021 16:19:50 +0000

Rónan Kelleher and Dan Sheehan have both started off the 2021-22 season on fire with fantastic performances in both the blue of Leinster and the green of Ireland.

The two 23-year-old hookers have had ample game time to show off their qualities this season and it seems that they are of a similar mould.

Dan Sheehan’s fantastic try (his fourth of the season for Leinster) against Connacht where he stepped Mack Hansen to send himself into a pocket of clear air with the try line in sight is reminiscent of what Kelleher brings to the game for both club and country.

Sheehan’s very presence in the wide channel to receive the ball draws similarities to how his fellow hooker plays and offers a glimpse into the future of Irish rugby.

Leinster assistant coach Stuart Lancaster is well aware of the depth of talent the side has at their disposal in the central front row position.

“There’s some very good, athletic forwards in the Leinster pack now,” Lancaster said. “Ronan [Kelleher] and Dan [Sheehan] are two players who epitomise what we want from our forwards – you know, good ball handlers, physical, abrasive, fit and they can play hooker but they can play multiple positional roles in phased attack and phased defence.”

Kelleher has often been seen in the same spot on a rugby pitch as Sheehan was on Friday, and with 29 carries to his name in just 164 minutes for Ireland during the Autumn Nations Series last month (14 against New Zealand), is clearly an attacking threat for any side he lines out for.

Sheehan, who only made his debut for Leinster last season, only has 313 minutes under his belt in competitive fixtures for the Pro 14 champions but has impressive attacking stats too – 187 metres from 58 carries among them.

With only 55 minutes to his name in green, Sheehan has looked the part, making 53 metres from a mere 11 carries in that time – an average of 4.82 metres per carry.

On top of this, their stats for the traditional roles of a hooker are impressive too – Kelleher missed only one lineout throw against both New Zealand and Argentina from 15 while Sheehan was perfect from 10 in the Autumn Internationals.

Their multi-faceted talents fall in line with what the province’s forwards coach Robin McBryde said about the ‘modern-day forward’ last month.

The competitiveness and experience that Leinster and Ireland veteran Sean Cronin and James Tracy has helped the two young hookers grow into the players they are today.

“It’s great to have [Kelleher and Sheehan] and they’ve got two very good hookers in, you know, James Tracy and Sean Cronin to learn from as well so it’s not like those two have just fallen away – they’re as competitive as the two lads.”

Lancaster is thrilled to see both Kelleher and Sheehan in such good form at the moments after watching their journey for several years but insists there is still work to be done.

“It’s great to see both come through – I’ve watched them both come from fourth-choice and being on the periphery and frustrated they’re not getting opportunities to force their way through to become first and second choice, in whatever order you pick them.

“There’s a lot of hard work gone into what they’ve achieved and a lot of credit must go to the two lads in particular but also to James and Sean for pushing them so hard as well.

“It’s a good position to be in, they’re both exciting players, but they’ve both got a lot to learn still and, you know, we’ll keep their feet on the ground for sure.”

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JGP and Dan Leavy back in full training ahead of Champions Cup

JoeNa Connacht — Mon, 06 Dec 2021 16:56:39 +0000

Leinster have announced that four players have been deemed available for selection in their Champions Cup opener against Bath this weekend after recovering from injury, including Jamison Gibson-Park and Dan Leavy.

Scrum-half Gibson Park has been sidelined with a thigh injury since Ireland’s win over New Zealand last month.

The number nine is set to make his return to the Leinster 23 in the same ground, the Aviva Stadium, this weekend.

Flanker Dan Leavy has also returned to full training having come through the Graduated Return to Play Protocols after suffering an injury 20 minutes into the recent loss to Ulster in the United Rugby Championship.

Centre Rory O’Loughlin has also returned to full training this week having recovered from a shoulder injury, while back-rower Max Deegan got through the Connacht game without any issues.

Lock James Ryan is continuing to comply with World Rugby protocols while training with the team.

Ryan is seeing an independent concussion consultant as part of his return to competitive action.

His fellow Irish internationals Jack Conan and Leinster and national captain Johnny Sexton will increase their workload in training this week and be further assessed before a final decision is made on their recoveries.

Loosehead prop Cian Healy, who was substituted against Connacht as a precaution, will also be assessed ahead of the Champions Cup clash with Bath.

Leinster and Ireland openside flanker Will Connors is back on the injury list after picking up a hamstring issue in training last week.

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Leo Cullen: ‘It’s good to see James playing with a smile on his face’

JoeNa Connacht — Fri, 03 Dec 2021 15:57:12 +0000

James Lowe answered critics who questioned his qualities with stellar performances in an Ireland shirt during the Autumn Nations Series last month.

Lowe scored tries against Japan and New Zealand, the country of his birth, as he got himself an iron grip on Ireland’s number 11 shirt with all 240 minutes of the games under his belt.

The 29-year-old led the side in metres made throughout the November internationals, with 266 to his name from 37 carries – an average of seven metres per carry – as well as nine offloads, more than any other player (equalled only by Stuart Hogg).

What was most impressive across the three games, however, was the improvement of his defence.

Lowe made eight tackles in the Autumn Internationals and managed five defensive catches in his backfield role.

He had previously been criticised for his defending in his first year as an Irish international and had this to say after the win over New Zealand.

“You bollockses always talk about my [defence], and I got up and I worked Rieko (Ioane), and we got the turnover from it.

“I don’t care about that first try, I don’t care about anything. It was that moment, to do everything I’ve been doing in the last six or seven months in the 70 minutes, that’s what I’m happy about.”

Lowe returns to the starting lineup for his club, Leinster on Friday night after the successful international break.

He will wear number 11 for the province and share the backline with Ireland full-back Hugo Keenan once again as the team take on Connacht in the United Rugby Championship in their second interprovincial clash at the RDS Arena in as many weeks.

Leinster Head Coach Leo Cullen noted that he understands that the criticisms players have to deal with can be hard and that it’s good to see a “larger than life character” like James Lowe enjoying his rugby.

“I don’t know what else was going on inside his mind at that exact moment (the interview) – I’m not so sure,” Cullen said. “But yeah, look, what players have to deal with, criticism and rejection and all the rest, it can be hard, you know, they wanna go out and prove a point…

“…the big thing is [that] it’s good to see James playing with a smile on his face so hopefully he can deliver something for us [Friday] night.”

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Leo Cullen impressed with Mike Ala’alatoa’s start to life with Leinster

JoeNa Connacht — Fri, 03 Dec 2021 14:03:45 +0000

Leinster boss Leo Cullen has praised tighthead prop Michael Ala’alatoa’s start to life with the provincial outfit after joining the team in the summer.

Ala’alatoa is set to make his fourth start for the club in seven games since arriving from Crusaders in New Zealand – he has racked up 51 minutes as a substitute in two other games also.

The Samoan international was unavailable for selection against Ulster last weekend as he was with the national side, who were meant to play the Barbarians in an ill-fated fixture.

He will make his return to the side on Friday night when they face Connacht in their second interprovincial fixture in as many weeks.

Head Coach Leo Cullen has praised his new tighthead ahead of his sixth appearance for the reigning domestic champions.

“[Ala’alatoa] has been a great character within the group – very, very popular with the lads,” Cullen noted. “In terms of his performance on the field, he’s coming from a very good environment (Crusaders) so he’s added lots of little bits there as well.”

Ala’alatoa joined the side after five years with the Crusaders and was regarded as a “world-class prop” over there by his coach Scott Roberson.

Naturally, he slots into second in the tighthead pecking order at the club, behind Tadhg Furlong and ahead of Vakh Abdeladze and Thomas Clarkson.

His presence in their scrum and in the defensive line has been something that Leinster cherished in the opening weeks, with Furlong resting after being on Lions duty.

On top of this, the 30-year-old has yet to taste defeat playing for Leinster, with a perfect record attached to his name so far.

Cullen is hoping that the Samoan will continue to perform for the side and further prove his worth in the weeks ahead, starting with the United Rugby Championship clash against Connacht.

“So yeah, hopefully, he just goes from strength to strength – that’s the plan. He’s settled in well which is great to see, which is what you want from guys coming in on the outside.”

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Nine internationals return to starting XV for Leinster against Connacht

JoeNa Connacht — Thu, 02 Dec 2021 12:24:49 +0000

Leo Cullen has named his Leinster side to face Connacht this Friday night, with several familiar faces making their returns (KO 7.45 pm).

Cullen has been able to call on a selection of internationals that were involved in the November window.

Two of those, Hugo Keenan and James Lowe, will line out in the back three where they are joined by Jordan Larmour.

Robbie Henshaw swaps from outside centre to inside while Garry Ringrose returns to don the number 13 shirt.

Luke McGrath will lead the side out as captain and he is partnered in the half-backs by Harry Byrne, who made a late cameo against Ulster last week.

In the pack, Cian Healy, newly-capped international Dan Sheehan and Samoan star Michael Ala’alatoa make up the front row with Ryan Baird and Devin Toner slotting in behind them.

Autumn Nations Player of the Series Caelan Doris starts at No 8 where he is flanked by the familiar presence of Rhys Ruddock and Josh van der Flier.

Josh Murphy will reach a half-century of appearances for the province if he is introduced from the bench.

He’s joined in the replacements by Rónan Kelleher, Andrew Porter, Vakh Abdaladze, Max Deegan, Nick McCarthy, Ross Byrne, and Tommy O’Brien.

Leinster Team v Connacht

15. Hugo Keenan (34)
14. Jordan Larmour (65)
13. Garry Ringrose (90)
12. Robbie Henshaw (58)
11. James Lowe (55)
10. Harry Byrne (26)
9. Luke McGrath (156) CAPTAIN

1. Cian Healy (236)
2. Dan Sheehan (17)
3. Michael Alaalatoa (5)
4. Ryan Baird (32)
5. Devin Toner (269)
6. Rhys Ruddock (194)
7. Josh van der Flier (102)
8. Caelan Doris (43)

Replacements:

16. Rónan Kelleher (28)
17. Andrew Porter (80)
18. Vakh Abdaladze (13)
19. Josh Murphy (49)
20. Max Deegan (69)
21. Nick McCarthy (39)
22. Ross Byrne (109)
23. Tommy O’Brien (11)

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