Friday, November 22, 2024

Leinster handed major fitness boost for URC semi-final against the Bulls

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LEO Cullen has been handed a vital boost ahead of tomorrow’s URC semi-final against the Bull in Pretoria.

The Blues will have to get over the line on South African soil if their season is to progress to the final game of the competition.

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Garry Ringrose will return for Leinster on Saturday against the Bulls
Jack Conan will also return to the bench after missing last weekend's win over Ulster

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Jack Conan will also return to the bench after missing last weekend’s win over Ulster

And the Dublin based side have been handed a huge boost as Ireland centre Garry Ringrose has been cleared fit to play.

Ringrose is set to make his first appearance for club or country since January on hostile territory.

He last played as a substitute in Ireland’s Six Nations win over Scotland in March before shoulder injury.

He’ll start alongside Robbie Henshaw in the midfield for Champions Cup runners-up.

His addition is the only change Leinster boss Leo Cullen has made from last weekend’s quarter-final win over Ulster at Aviva Stadium.

On the bench, Jack Conan is back after missing last weekend’s last-eight victory, and with Garry Ringrose’ return Jamie Osborne moves onto the bench for the visitors.

Cian Healy insists that Leinster must be ready to dig deep to ensure the never ending season keeps on going. 

Their season is now rapidly approaching a 52-week sojourn. 

It will reach that mark next week should Leinster win, as players like Healy first got together in Abbotstown 12 months ago to begin preparations for the Rugby World Cup

Healy hopes to extend his season anyway into a South African Tour with Ireland, but he insisted there is no tiredness for a long year that he wants to extend even further. 

James Lowe’s son Nico steals the show during RTE interview after Leinster win

He said: “It doesn’t feel like a year, no. So fresh enough.

“The way everyone shapes up for training I’ve no reason to feel anyone is fatigued. 

TEAMS

Bulls: Willie Le Roux; Sergeal Peterson, David Kriel, Harold Vorster, Devon Williams; Johan Goosen, Embrose Papier; Gerhard Steenkamp, Johan Grobbelaar, Wilco Louw; Ruan Vermaak, Ruan Nortje (capt); Marco van Staden, Elrigh Louw, Cameron Hanekom

Replacements: Akker van der Merwe, Simphiwe Matanzima, Francois Klopper, Reinhardt Ludwig, Nizaam Carr, Keagan Johannes, Chris Smith, Cornel Smit

Leinster: Jimmy O’Brien; Jordan Larmour, Garry Ringrose, Robbie Henshaw, James Lowe; Ross Byrne, Jamison Gibson-Park; Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong; Joe McCarthy, James Ryan (capt), Ryan Baird, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris

“Everyone is hopping onto the pitch with a spring in their step.

“It is usually a sign when a lot of Mondays and Tuesdays are sat out and I am not seeing any of that.”

Kick-off is at 3pm tomorrow.

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