
Leinster handed massive boost ahead of URC Grand Final as Leo Cullen announces team for Croke Park decider
LEO Cullen has been given a huge boost ahead of Leinster's URC final showdown with Bulls
Josh van der Flier and Garry Ringrose have shaken off injury concerns to take their place in the
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Leon Cullen and Leinster have been handed a huge boost ahead of the URC final against the Bulls
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Josh van der Flier and Garry Ringrose have been passed fit for the decider at Croke Park
But it's not all roses as the clash comes too soon for
Meanwhile, 2022 World Player of the Year Josh van der Flier proved his fitness after picking up a hamstring knock in last week's semi-final win over Glasgow.
Ringrose returns from a calf injury to a strong midfield pairing with Jordie Barrett.
They are the only changes from last week's triumph at Aviva Stadium.
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On the bench, Rónan Kelleher, Jack Boyle, and Rabah Slimani provide front-row depth, with RG Snyman and Max Deegan among the forward reinforcements.
Jamie Osborne is joined by Luke McGrath and the departing Ross Byrne, who is set to make his 186th and final appearance for Leinster.
The action gets underway from 5pm KO, live on TG4 and Premier Sports 1.
Leinster team to face Bulls:
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Jimmy O'Brien; Tommy O'Brien, Garry Ringrose, Jordie Barrett, James Lowe; Sam Prendergast, Jamison Gibson-Park; Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan, Thomas Clarkson; Joe McCarthy, James Ryan; Ryan Baird, Josh van der Flier, Jack Conan (capt).
Replacements:
Rónan Kelleher, Jack Boyle, Rabah Slimani, RG Snyman, Max Deegan, Luke McGrath, Ross Byrne, Jamie Osborne.
Bulls team to face Leinster:
Willie le Roux; Canan Moodie, David Kriel, Harold Vorster, Sebastian de Klerk; Johan Goosen, Embrose Papier; Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Johan Grobbelaar, Wilco Louw; Cobus Wiese, JF van Heerden; Marco van Staden, Ruan Nortje (capt), Marcell Coetzee.
Replacements:
Akker van der Merwe, Alulutho Tshakweni, Mornay Smith, Jannes Kirsten, Nizaam Carr, Zak Burger, Keagan Johannes, Devon Williams.

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'For us, it's 68 years, so the people were allowed that, it was a once-in-a-lifetime thing for a lot of people, and hopefully it comes around, hopefully the gap's not as big the next time. But I suppose it's hard to get back on track, maybe, even just for people around the county and talking about it and not getting caught up in that as well. 'I think it was a short turnaround of our training on the Wednesday, obviously with a job to do and we knew we were going into a tough group. It was a case of maybe you didn't get to bask in it as much as you'd like, but we enjoyed the few days we did get.' Few deserved the few days quite like Mulroy. He had sent a series of shots wide earlier in the game, but stepped up with 1-7 in total and a critical two-point free towards the end. We're finding ourselves asking forwards about a lot of critical finishing scores in this brave new world of rules in 2025. How does Mulroy keep a clear head in those situations? 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It looked just slightly less unlikely when Harte left after the 2023 season, having left Louth as a division 2 side and having reached a Leinster final. The feeling was of a team that had emptied themselves in a few seasons under an All-Ireland winning coach, and gravity would soon ensue. 'When Mickey Harte left I kind of felt, no matter who comes in there, it's a case of next man up and we keep going on this journey, and Ger (Brennan) came in with this team, and we've done rightly,' deadpans Mulroy. Related Reads 'We back you no matter what' - Shane Walsh on backing of Galway team mates 'Just a special talent' - 20 years on from Galway's 'Terrible Twins' brilliance in All-Ireland final 'You are used to being on the road' - Shane O'Donnell makes light of Donegal controversy 'Yeah, look, I think the group is an experienced group. 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As I said it won't be just to fulfill a fixture and just let Donegal go through into a quarter-final.' * Check out the latest episode of The42′s GAA Weekly podcast here