logo
Leinster pair Garry Ringrose and Josh van der Flier passed fit for URC final

Leinster pair Garry Ringrose and Josh van der Flier passed fit for URC final

RTÉ News​12-06-2025

Josh van der Flier and Garry Ringrose have overcome injuries to take their place in the Leinster team for Saturday's BKT URC final against Bulls.
However, the game comes too soon for fellow British and Irish Lions duo Tadhg Furlong and Hugo Keenan, who miss out on the Croke Park showdown (Saturday 5pm) with calf issues.
Ireland flanker Van der Flier suffered a hamstring injury in the quarter-final against Scarlets, while centre Ringrose has recovered from a calf injury.
They are the only changes to the side that beat Glasgow in the semi-final.
Joe McCarthy and James Ryan continue their partnership in the second row with Andrew Porter and Thomas Clarkson scrumming down either side of hooker Dan Sheehan.
Ringrose partners Jordie Barrett in the centre, with Jamison Gibson-Park and Sam Prendergast the half-backs.
Tommy O'Brien and James Lowe continue on the wings with Jimmy O'Brien named at full-back once more.
Rónan Kelleher, Jack Boyle and Rabah Slimani provide the front row reinforcements with RG Snyman and Max Deegan providing cover from the bench.
Jamie Osborne moves to the replacements alongside Luke McGrath and the departing Ross Byrne, who is set to make his 186th and final appearance for Leinster.
Meanwhile, Bulls coach Jake White has made one change to the team that beat the Sharks last weekend.
Marco van Staden comes into replace injured back row Cameron Hanekom, with Marcell Coetzee moving to number 8.
Leinster: 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: 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.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Tributes paid following death of British and Irish Lions legend
Tributes paid following death of British and Irish Lions legend

Irish Daily Mirror

timean hour ago

  • Irish Daily Mirror

Tributes paid following death of British and Irish Lions legend

Lions legend and former Scotland captain, Ian McLauchlan, has passed away at the age of 83. Known affectionately as Mighty Mouse, McLauchlan captained Scotland 19 times in his 43 appearances for the country, playing between 1969 and 1979. However, he is perhaps best remembered as one of only five players to have played in all eight Lions Tests on the victorious tours of New Zealand and South Africa in 1971 and 1974 respectively. Despite being smaller than most props, the robust prop had a formidable reputation in the scrum and scored a crucial try against the All Blacks in '71 in a 9-3 opening-Test victory. "He was some character and some player," commented his former Scotland teammate, Andy Irvine. "He was smaller than most props he came up against but I never saw anyone get the better of him. He was so tough, almost indestructible." McLauchlan was honoured with an induction into the Scottish Rugby Hall of Fame and was awarded an OBE eight years ago. The iconic figure served as the president of Scottish Rugby from 2010 until 2012 before retiring from the board in 2019 after providing 50 years of service since his debut as a player, reports the Mirror. McLauchlan, who worked as a PE teacher, discovered he was going to earn his first international cap while teaching skiers in the Highlands. His international career spanned 10 years, culminating in his final Scotland appearance against New Zealand at Murrayfield in November 1979. The Lions official X account honoured the late Scottish rugby icon with a touching message, stating: "Our thoughts are with the friends and family of former Scotland captain, and British and Irish Lions great, Ian McLauchlan, who has passed away at the age of 83". McLauchlan was resident on Islay having left his home in the Corstorphine area of Edinburgh to move to his wife, Eileen's birthplace. Eileen passed away in 2023 and McLauchlan endured challenges with his mobility in recent years. Graham Law penned a tribute highlighting McLauchlan as a 'trail-blazer, the first former pupil of Ayr Academy and first student of Jordanhill College to be capped for Scotland' with playing abilities 'ahead of his time'. "Scottish Rugby extends its sincere condolences to Ian McLauchlan's family and many friends," stated the obituary. "When we have details of his funeral service, we will update on our website." Stewart Weir, a trustee of My Name'5 Doddie Foundation, shared personal memories: "Farewell Ian McLauchlan, 'Mighty Mouse,' Scotland and Lions legend. Party trick of lifting Kiwi and Boks tightheads off the ground in scrums or with uppercuts. Our Sunday morning conferences were never dull, and nothing surpassed one outrageous dinner in Cardiff. Rest easy". First Minister of Scotland, John Swinney said: "Very sorry to hear to the death of Ian McLauchlan. As a schoolboy I watched him play mesmerising rugby. "He gave a lifetime of service to the game, and motivated so many to make a contribution. My condolences to his family."

Paul Kimmage: Old friends Geordan Murphy and Matt Hampson are still bringing out the best in each other
Paul Kimmage: Old friends Geordan Murphy and Matt Hampson are still bringing out the best in each other

Irish Independent

time7 hours ago

  • Irish Independent

Paul Kimmage: Old friends Geordan Murphy and Matt Hampson are still bringing out the best in each other

But by Tuesday, he had joined up with Clive Woodward's 45-man Lions squad in the plush Vale of Glamorgan Hotel just outside Cardiff, about to embark on the trip of a lifetime to New Zealand. Then yesterday, he was named in the first Lions side to play on British or Irish soil, for the pre-tour warm-up game against Argentina at the Millenium Stadium next Monday.

Rúaidhrí O'Connor: The IRFU need to balance their books while protecting the golden goose
Rúaidhrí O'Connor: The IRFU need to balance their books while protecting the golden goose

Irish Independent

time7 hours ago

  • Irish Independent

Rúaidhrí O'Connor: The IRFU need to balance their books while protecting the golden goose

On Friday night, a packed Aviva Stadium waved the most Irish-influenced Lions in history off on their mission to Australia with Andy Farrell, four of his assistant coaches, 16 of his players and a swathe of support staff on board. The men's national team won seven of their nine internationals this season with all of their home games sold out, while the women's team continued their steady improvement towards this year's World Cup. Leinster played Munster at a sold-out Croke Park and went on to win the URC and reach a European semi-final. At a glance, Irish rugby has never been in a stronger position.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store