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RTÉ News
17 hours ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Preview: Cohesion the key as Lions prepare for Pumas send-off
Six weeks and 10 games. It all starts tonight. Given the make-up of the squad and coaching staff, this Lions tour feels more Irish and British than British and Irish, and Dublin is the first stop, before they head Down Under on Saturday. The majority of the 16-strong Irish contingent in the playing group will be watching from the stands at Aviva Stadium this evening, with Rónan Kelleher the only of Leinster's BKT URC final squad asked to play two weeks in a row. While officially this is the end of week two in the Lions camp, 15 of the squad have only been in place since Monday afternoon, with the Leinster, Bath and Leicester Tigers contingent missing last week's Portugal camp due to their club commitments. As such, cohesion has been this week's buzz-word. Nine of the starting 15 for this opening game against Argentina are England internationals, but that familiarity could be offset by a new coaching team whose style of play may differ from Steve Borthwick. It's telling that his opening half-back partnership are team-mates for both club and country, with Alex Mitchell and Fin Smith teaming up behind the scrum, while Marcus Smith is patrolling the backfield at full-back, and ready to pivot to out-half if needed. "They were the two tens in the squad last week so they've been dovetailing 10 and 15, so it's great for them to have time in the saddle to be able to do that," Farrell said of the Smiths. "That's why it was good to, on many accounts, to train with a 23/24-man squad because it gave different people different combinations to have time and reps. New system, new calls, getting their heads around all that has allowed them to get to a point now where they're pretty excited to play together." Selections will change, but it will be curious to see if Farrell's side play to the strength and size of their three-quarter line. Wings Duhan van der Merwe and Tommy Freeman measure in at 6ft 4in and 6ft 3in, and weigh a couple of digits either side of 105kg. The centre combination of Bundee Aki and Sione Tuipulotu are by no means tall, but are two of the most powerful in their position in the northern hemisphere. "I wouldn't have noticed," Farrell replied, when the size of his backline was mentioned. Aki (above) and Tuipulotu's partnership in particular is the one that jumped off the page when the team was named on Wednesday afternoon. Hard-running and big-hitting, the pair would initially have been expected to be in competition for the 12 shirt in the Test series next month, but if they gel as a combination while Garry Ringrose and Huw Jones are getting back to full fitness, it could be a perfect marriage. Farrell says he wants them to become a "dominant partnership", and if their direct carrying can occupy bodies and space for others to score, it could give them a head-start on Test selection. "So they've [Aki and Tuipulotu] been great. Getting on the same page, sharing each other's strengths and weaknesses, etc, and trying to get across what is a new system to everyone. So very diligent and excited to see that partnership, along with a few others. "But we know that we're coming up against a side who are pretty good in those type of positions as well, you know," Farrell added. The six Irish players n this week's matchday 23 are split evenly across the starting team and replacements; Aki and Tadhg Beirne both mark their second Lions tours at the Aviva, while Finlay Bealham starts at tighthead, less than two weeks after being called into the squad as an injury replacement for Scotland's Zander Fagerson. His fellow Ireland international and Canberra-native Mack Hansen is among the replacements, as is Kelleher and Tadhg Furlong, who will be making his first appearance since early May after being troubled by a calf injury. Argentina drove Ireland all the way when they last visited the Aviva back in November, and while Felipe Contepomi could be handing out three debuts off the bench, 12 of his starting team featured in that 22-19 defeat seven months ago. Four years ago, the tour to South Africa was thrown into chaos when captain Alun-Wyn Jones (above) dislocated his shoulder just seven minutes into the warm-up fixture against Japan. Jones did recover miraculously to rejoin the squad in time for the first Test, but Justin Tipuric had no such luck, and played no further part after his injury in Edinburgh. The head coach bristled at any suggestion players will have Saturday's flight to Australia in their sub-conscious for this game. "I'm not even thinking about avoiding injuries, that's the furthest thing from my mind because it's just sport. This is just the nature of sport in general, never mind the contact sport that we that we love to watch and play. So it is what it is. "We certainly, in the back of our minds, wish that we've got a healthy squad going to Australia, but we know that along the way, there's also the sorts of different implications that can happen. It's just the nature of the tour. "This is all about putting your best foot forward as a group. They're representing the group. "This is a full-blown Test match for us, for all that are involved internally. We're lucky to have the quality of the Argentinian side to come over and test that. It's going to be a fantastic occasion," added Farrell. British and Irish Lions: Marcus Smith; Tommy Freeman, Sione Tuipulotu, Bundee Aki, Duhan van der Merwe; Fin Smith, Alex Mitchell; Ellis Genge, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Finlay Bealham; Maro Itoje (capt), Tadhg Beirne; Tom Curry, Jac Morgan, Ben Earl Argentina: Santiago Carreras; Rodrigo Isgro, Lucio Cinti, Justo Piccardo, Ignacio Mendy; Tomas Albornoz, Gonzalo García; Mayco Vivas, Julian Montoya (capt), Joel Sclavi; Franco Molina, Pedro Rubiolo; Pablo Matera, Juan Martín Gonzalez, Joaquin Oviedo
RTÉ News
4 days ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Badly-needed trophy helps Leinster's healing process
A four-year gap without a trophy is considered normal for most teams. For a team with the resources and home-grown talent that Leinster have, it's considered a failure if they don't come home with a trophy every year. Saturday's dominant victory over the Bulls in the BKT URC final to earn their first silverware since 2021 was relief for all those associated with the province. Despite the improving standard of the domestic league, leaving Croke Park with the trophy felt almost non-negotiable. There were a few things that stood on the day. Leinster's defence was totally dominant. They missed some tackles around the 30-minute mark which started a brief purple patch for the visitors. However, Leinster were already 19-0 up and the Bulls were always going to enjoy a period of possession. Regardless of a couple of slipped tackles, the hosts were ferocious in defence and clearly wanted to lay down a marker. Their goal line defence was miserly, conceding just one try from a maul in the second half. The men in blue were hungry for work and eager for collisions. The Bulls are a physical team, and would have welcomed the wet weather conditions in Dublin. I'm sure they considered the poor conditions to be a leveller, yet Leo Cullen's side grew taller with every tackle that they made. With no plan B, the Bulls ran into the Leinster pack repeatedly without gaining any momentum. Within the Leinster pack, the usual performers stood up. James Ryan was responsible for a number of dominant tackles, yet it was Thomas Clarkson who caught my eye. He had a burning desire to ensure Leinster's success and drove standards around the pitch. He backed up Joe McCarthy in a mild scuffle while contributing massively to a scrum performance that gave as good as it got. If anything, the scrum weakness was on Andrew Porter's side, who struggled at times to deal with Wilco Louw. Clarkson hit everything that moved and generally stepped up with a really mature performance in the absence of Tadhg Furlong. Ryan Baird won the player of the match award, though a number of Leinster's pack could have received the accolade. Baird has gone from an athletic back-row with positive moments to a physical animal with many more involvements. Saturday's victory was a culmination of his improvements over the season. Luke McGrath showed how good he is in a rare opportunity following Jamison Gibson-Park's late withdrawal. McGrath has been an unbelievable servant for Leinster, patient with his contributions since Gibson Park's ownership of the scrum-half position. He gelled seamlessly with Sam Prendergast throughout the game, providing clarity and balance in their kicking game. His standout moment was a clever kick over a ruck which Jordie Barrett controlled beautifully to race Tommy O'Brien to the try line for Leinster's second try. 14 points in as many minutes set Leinster up for a first half performance that would see them control the game, with McGrath playing a huge part in that. Leinster's kicking game wasn't limited to the half-backs, with Barrett and Jimmy O' Brien contributing nicely too. However, Prendergast had his best performance in a while for Leinster. His kicking game was massively responsible for their territorial advantage. Prendergast's superpower is his right foot, as seen by a sweet connection straight from a scrum to earn a 50:22. Referee Andrea Piardi even called a penalty in the scrum, not realising that the out-half had the distance to regain possession in a better position on the other side of the pitch. The Bulls did little to put Leinster under pressure. Out-half Johan Goosen and full-back Willie Le Roux were off form and as a team they looked overawed by Leinster's energy. If the Bulls performed better, Leinster may have regretted the points they left behind in the third quarter. A 22-metre attack that should have ended in a try was knocked on by RG Snyman and a kickable penalty was miscued. However, not to discredit Leinster, they were the reason why the Bulls attack was stifled. When it came to a final in those conditions, Leinster got their strategy right. They won the kicking battle and were far more physical than the Bulls. Both of those factors in the game will go a long way to victory. Leinster's stats in the last few rounds have shown that they kicked the ball more often, while retaining more possession from kicks. They also improved their penalty count, reducing their average from 11 penalties per game through 17 rounds, to just 7 penalties thereafter. Their set-piece percentage improved, ruck success improved to near perfect and their 22-metre entries also went up. Funnily enough, their average tries scored was reduced but that is expected as you get into knockout rugby, compared to some of the high scoring league games they've been involved in. Stats don't show you the team selection, individual moments or other factors within the game. However, with most of Leinster's metrics improving, it's no surprise that they dominated the URC final, as we all expected them to. That's the type of performance in a final that will take the pressure off the players, Leo Cullen and the club in general. The Champions Cup anguish lives on, but putting silverware in the cabinet will help the healing process and Leinster can now sign off on a relatively successful season.
RTÉ News
5 days ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
No Lions 'laughing stock' matter as Dan Sheehan and Leinster bear winners medals
Dan Sheehan will arrive into British and Irish Lions camp today with the broadest smile, feeling like a real winner with Leinster at last. Andy Farrell's side take on Argentina this Friday at Aviva Stadium but the nine Leinster men who played in the BKT URC final may be rested. Having featured mostly off the bench the last time Leinster won the then-Pro14 title in 2021, the hooker didn't play in the final and has had to endure numerous European and URC knockout blows since. "[It's] the first one that I feel properly a part of," the 26-year-old forward told reporters after Saturday's 32-7 win over Bulls at Croke Park. "It was definitely on my mind over the last couple of years that you work so hard during the season and you're spending the majority of your time with this group of players and, you know, it hasn't changed a whole lot. "So the hunger was there and I think you saw from the first whistle. Incredibly enjoyable, incredibly rewarding. "It's a really tough competition to win, you have to play an incredible amount of games. "You have to work your asses off with a full squad to get that home advantage and I thought we did a great job managing the energy levels throughout the last weeks and peaking at the right times. "To get a URC win is something really special." Talk about a mood-changer. Such has been the expectation on Leinster over the last four seasons, Sheehan suggested that coming into national camp, where they have been incredibly successful, came with a trepidation that he feels might have spread to Lions, had they stuttered against the Bulls. He said: "It would have been a sickener to go into camp there with nothing after missing the first two weeks, coming away with nothing and we'd probably be the laughing stock of the group again. "But we've got the medal now. "We were so hungry as a group, to get silverware, to win the URC, that we parked [the Lions talk] pretty easy. "We were left alone by the Lions, we didn't hear a thing from them which is exactly the way we wanted it to be; we knew we needed to get a job done and focus solely on the URC and if you look too far into the future you'll slip up. "We did a good job as a group, addressing it early when it was first announced, say congrats and move on, we're committing to this fully." Leinster looked like their usual selves as they raced into a 19-0 half-time, capped off by a ferocious goalline stand that denied the Bulls a foothold. "[A fast start] something we focussed on these last two weeks," said the Dubliner (above), who made his 73rd Leinster appearance in front of 46,127 at GAA HQ. "Last week [against Glasgow] you saw we got a penalty straight off the kickoff after a big collision and the approach was the same this week, same sort of thing, kick off, lay into them, dominant collisions and scrum penalties. "It just puts a seed of doubt, I suppose, in the opposition's head, especially when you're at home and the crowd is getting behind you straight away. "And you could feel that off the crowd and the crowd here were unbelievable. They got in behind us in those crucial moments. "There was that sort of moment for maybe 10 minutes before half time when we were parked on our line and it was probably some of the most physical rugby we've been a part of this year. "How rewarding it was not to let them in then. I think that gave the crowd a lift. It definitely gave us a lift." Meanwhile, Sheehan also paid tribute to Ross Byrne (above), who played his last game for Leinster after 10 years with the province. The out-half, who scored a conversion and assisted Fintan Gunne's try, was not spared any criticism over the last number of years as the province suffered defeats in European finals and URC semi-finals. The 30-year-old will move to Gloucester this summer after playing 186 matches for Leinster. "Ross is an unbelievable player, an unbelievable professional, and the standards he drives are like no one else in our group at the minute," said Sheehan. "I think he gets a hard time over the last 10 years and he doesn't give a f***, really, and he just gets on with it. "He loves Leinster, and he loves winning, and he loves the group and I was happy for him. "He got a good reception from the crowd and he'll be truly missed as a person in the changing room as someone that drives what we try to do incredibly well. "Similar to a sort of Johnny Sexton character, of just being ruthless with with what we expect of each other and holding people accountable." Elsewhere, Leinster also said that scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park, who was a late withdrawal on Saturday morning, was suffering from a dead leg picked up in the semi-final win over Glasgow.
RTÉ News
6 days ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Ratings: Ryan Baird and pack shine as Leinster deliver URC title
Leinster ended an almost four-year search for a trophy with a brilliant 32-7 victory over the Bulls in the BKT URC final at Croke Park. Jack Conan, Jordie Barrett, Josh van der Flier and Fintan Gunne scored the tries, while out-halves Sam Prendergast (10) and Ross Byrne (2) contributed points off the tee. Here's how we rated the players. 15. Jimmy O'Brien - 7.5 Solid at the back and countered cleverly as well. Exactly what Leinster needed in the absence of Hugo Keenan. Linked well with his wingers and centres. Outplayed the vastly more experienced Willie le Roux. 14. Tommy O'Brien - 7.5 Brilliant reward for a player who has been so unlucky with injuries. Justified his starting place and worked hard all day. Didn't get a clear chance with ball in hand but defended well. 13. Garry Ringrose. 7.5 Excellent defensive showing from the Ireland centre as the Leinster blitz defence showed its teeth again. Totally outplayed his opposite number and made his tackles as required. 12. Jordie Barrett - 8.5 Calm and poised throughout, the All Blacks centre signs off with a try and winners medal. Did superbly for his score, hacking on and winning a race against his team-mate, Tommy O'Brien, to raise the roof at Croke Park. 11. James Lowe – 8 Unusually, didn't get a score at GAA HQ but used his boot to good effect all day. Dealt with opposition kicks well and linked well with the backline without ever breaking clear of the defence. 10. Sam Pendergast – 8.5 Brilliantly measured performance from the young out-half, who kicked well in defence and attack. His 50:22 paved the way for their third. Contributed 10 points off the tee. Came into the game under pressure and delivered on the big stage. 9. Luke McGrath – 8 A late call-up for the injured Jamison Gibson-Park, McGrath made light of the Lions back's absence. His box-kicks were mostly on the money and he avoided all trouble at the breakdown. Clever and well executed kick for Barrett's try. 1. Andrew Porter – 8 Was penalised a couple of times at the scrum, which he debated but was part of a Leinster pack that dominated their vaunted opponents. Played all but the last five minutes. 2. Dan Sheehan – 8 Excellent display from the hooker even if it came without a trademark try. Was superb out of touch and always in the mix in the loose. He'll start the Lions Tests. 3. Thomas Clarkson – 8 Leinster have not missed Tadhg Furlong as much as would have been expected and that's largely down to Clarkson. Was really up for the physical battle. 4. Joe McCarthy – 8.5 More South African than the South Africans themselves? Never shirked in the tackle or carry all day; made gain line and pushed the Bulls back when they wandered into his field. 5. James Ryan – 8 Absolutely relished the physical battle with the visitors, carried with purpose and put his body on the line time after time. Made way for RG Snyman just two minutes into the second half. 6. Ryan Baird – 9 Named player of the match for the second week running and fully deserved the merit. Was on it from the start, attacking with purpose, beating three defenders, and tackled with venom. Excellent in the lineout. Will be looking forward to the Ireland tour this summer. 7. Josh van der Flier – 8.5 Another man of the match contender, the Lions flanker carried well and tackled his heart out. Picked the perfect time shear off for Leinster's third try. 8. Jack Conan – 8.5 Another who produced a performance fitting of a final, full of energy and frustration from recent disappointments and criticism. Took the opening score well and made eight successful carries, more than twice the next best. Top tackler with 15. 16. Rónan Kelleher (for Sheehan 56) – 7 Came on to see out the game and did all that was required. 18. Rabah Slimani (for Clarkson 56) – 7 Solid outing and Leinster lost nothing on his arrival. 19. RG Snyman (for Ryan 42) – 8 Came on to add impetus to attack in the second half and delivered his usual array of offloads, carries and lineout nous. Not on long enough to rate 17. Jack Boyle (for Porter 75) 20. Max Deegan for (Conan 75) 21. Fintan Gunne (for McGrath 69) - scored an excellent try. 22. Ross Byrne (for Prendergast 69) 23. Jamie Osborne (for Ringrose 75)
Irish Examiner
6 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Blow for Leinster as Jamison Gibson-Park ruled out of URC Grand final after picking up knock
Leinster's hopes of claiming a first ever BKT URC title have suffered a major blow with the news that Jamison Gibson-Park has been ruled out of Saturday's decider. The scrum-half was pulled from the starting XV this morning having picked up an unspecified knock in last week's semi-final win over Glasgow and failing to train properly during the week. Gibson-Park is a world-class No.9 who is due to tour Australia with the British and Irish Lions this summer. Luke McGrath, an experienced player who has played second-fiddle to Gibson-Park in the last five years, will step up from the bench while the inexperienced Fintan Gunners is added to the bench. Read More Jamison Gibson-Park: From failed out-half to world-class nine
