The faceoff between Leinster and Lions is set for the Aviva Stadium this Saturday at 5.15pm and will be broadcast live on RTÉ 2 and Premier Sports 2 for the United Rugby Championship (URC). Having won five games in a row, Leinster are no stranger to victory – especially after their 26 game unbeaten run in 2021. However, this battle, pitting the teams at first and second places, sparks anticipation of a potential slowdown in Leinster’s strong season kickoff.
Despite the tension, Leinster are still the predicted winners, retaining their striking form in the opening stages of the URC. Their track record is expecting to look even better with six consecutive wins. The return of Robbie Henshaw at the centre post-injury is a positive note for Leinster – especially before upcoming games against the All Blacks, Australia, Argentina, and Fiji. The dominating presence of international players, comprising three quarters of Leinster’s squad, is undoubtedly causing some apprehension for the Lions.
While the Lions showcase great strategy as the second-placers, their experience, having played only four games compared to Leinster’s five, is under scrutiny. Leinster’s gameplay, which is no secret, adds to the mystery of whether the Lions have the capacity to disrupt their run. Leinster operate on a simple but effective strategy – set the score rolling early on and leave the opposition struggling to keep up.
Lions’ coach, Ivan van Rooyen, recognises this and reinforces the need for a strong start. According to him, a defensive approach isn’t enough to thwart Leinster’s try-scoring ability from any point on the pitch. The Lions must come prepared to strike and impose their gameplay on Leinster, he advises.
Informed by van Rooyen’s experiences, Leinster’s playing style as directed by their coach, Jacques Nienaber, could put an immense strain on the skills of the Lions. Leinster has a strategy of pressuring the opposing side by rapidly shrinking the playing field when they are in possession of the ball.
The level of intensity that Leinster’s captain, Caelan Doris and players such as Josh van der Flier, Ryan Baird, and RG Snyman inject into the game is tough to rival in the URC, particularly with the organisation of the set piece. Moreover, Snyman’s fitness and position in the second row adds a new dynamic to Leinster’s game plan.
Inspired by the offloading play style of Sonny Bill Williams and the All Blacks, Snyman brings world-class techniques to the game-play. He acknowledges having deeply studied and admired Williams’ method, involving constant search for an opportunity and collaboration with teammates.
For the majority of the Lions’ team, playing at the Aviva Stadium will be a novel experience. Although only the lower bowl of the stadium, with a 22,300-person capacity will be filled, Leinster is expected to enjoy vast support.
Interestingly, three of the ten changes to the Leinster’s team are academy players, together with Andrew Osborne and Gus McCarthy who are maintaining their positions from the recent 33-12 victory against Connacht. Additionally, Hugh Cooney has been raised from the bench following his initial game in Galway.
However, due to injuries to Dan Sheehan, Rónan Kelleher, and John McKee, the abilities of the front-row players, including Michael Milne, Gus McCarthy, and French international Rabah Slimani will be put under scrutiny. Nienaber expressed confidence in McCarthy’s potential for growth, citing his past performances against formidable teams under the supportive influence of quality players.
In Dublin, Leinster’s 21-year-old rising star, Sam Prendergast, the number ten, is set to go head-to-head with the gifted Lions orchestrator, Kade Wolhuter. Coach Van Rooyen is resolute in ensuring that the Lions remain on a competitive footing, after their recent victories against Dragons and Zebre. However, this might not suffice.
Leinster’s squad sees Hugo Keenan, Andrew Osborne, Hugh Cooney, Robbie Henshaw, and James Lowe on the field, along with Sam Prendergast and Luke McGrath. Michael Milne, Gus McCarthy and Rabah Slimani also play, joined by RG Snyman and Ryan Baird, and completed by a trio of Max Deegan, Josh Van Der Flier and Caelan Doris, who takes the captaincy.
Stepping up from the bench will be players like Stephen Smyth, Andrew Porter, Thomas Clarkson, Brian Deeny, James Culhane, Cormac Foley, Ross Byrne, and Charlie Tector.
Lining up for the Lions, we have Quan Horn, Richard Kriel, Henco van Wyk, Rynhardt Jonker and Edwill van der Merwe. Joining them are Kade Wolhuter and Morne van den Berg. Juan Schoeman, PJ Botha, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Ruben Schoeman and Reinhard Nothnagel are in the pack, with JC Pretorius, Jarod Cairns and Francke Horn, as captain leading the team.
From the bench, Franco Marais, Heiko Pohlmann, RF Schoeman, Ruan Delport, Renzo du Plessis, Sanele Nohamba, Marius Louw and Erich Cronje will provide the reinforcements.
Referee C Evans from the Welsh Rugby Union will be officiating the match.