In their forthcoming United Rugby Championship (URC) game, Zebre will be hosting Leinster at the Stadio Lanfranchi on Saturday, at 7.35 Irish time, which will be broadcast live on RTÉ 2 and Premier Sports. Following the absence of the international members of the team, Leinster’s chief mentor Jacques Nienaber has extolled the beneficial challenges posed by friendlies against Saracens and Bath, asserting they have shaped the team spirit. It’s hoped the squad’s experience will be put to good use in their Italian showdown this Saturday evening.
In terms of Leinster milestones, veteran prop Ed Byrne has earned his 100th provincial cap, contrasting with several debutantes on the team. For their first competitive outing in the senior team, brothers Andrew and Jamie Osborne will feature together. Previously an underage international who tasted glory in last year’s Under-20s Grand Slam and reached the World Junior Championship final in South Africa, this is Andrew’s introductory game. His fellow teammate, Diarmuid Mangan, is also primed for his debut from the bench, alongside former Ireland U20 teammates Sam Prendergast, Fintan Gunne, and Henry McErlean.
Welcoming back Ciarán Frawley after fulfilling his return-to-play protocols following a head injury he obtained during the England versus Ireland match at Twickenham, he is listed in the fullback position. Joining him, Rob Russell retains his spot on the right wing, with Liam Turner donning the number 13 shirt.
Leinster’s team leader, Leo Cullen, has chosen seasoned half-back duo Ross Byrne and Luke McGrath for this match. Will Connors, captain Scott Penny, and Max Deegan form a dynamic back row, each needing to shine in such games to ascend the European match day 23 hierarchy. Saturday’s game will see Ross Molony directing the lineout, Jason Jenkins bringing a power game, while an intense set-piece examination await hooker Lee Barron and tighthead Thomas Clarkson, above and beyond their general play contributions.
The bench team members are eagerly anticipating a forthcoming promotion to starting positions, with Michael Milne and John McKee acutely aware of the fierce competition for front line places from Jack Boyl, Paddy McCarthy and Gus McCarthy. They, along with Brian Deeny, who is seeking to climb the depth chart, face the challenge of turning theory into action on the playing field in Parma.
The all-rounded athletic prowess of Mangan, Gunne’s sublime passing skills, which could merit a display in the Louvre, along with Prendergast and McErlean’s abilities to enhance their physical attributes through their skills in penetrating defences, will be on display.
Zebre’s thrilling rugby style features the rare offensive talent of Italian wing player Simone Gesi. Giovanni Licata, their number eight, is yet another player with a formidable reputation that belies his young age.
Fabio Roselli, Zebre’s head coach, has emphasised the unstoppable nature of the Leinster team should they be allowed to play with intensity. Their strategy throughout the week has been to concentrate heavily on their defence and contact area and to start and end the game strongly to put considerable pressure on the breakdown and engineer turnovers to generate significant opportunities.
The visiting team, however, needs to draw on their intelligence in formulating and executing their game plan, demonstrating lessons learned from defeats to Saracens and Bath that underline the need for discipline, resilience, and unity in defence.
Zebre’s track record may read only one win and one draw in eleven games, but their eight bonus points serve as a stark reminder of their competitiveness in a significant number of games. The bugle of momentum is crucial especially in view of Leinster’s closest rivals in the table, the Bulls who are in second place, due to touch down in Dublin next Friday evening.
If the visitors can align their game properly, they are poised for a win. Anything less, and the outcome will be contentious.
ZEBRE PARMA: J Trulla; S Gregory, L Morisi, F Paea, S Gesi; G Prisciantelli, G Garcia; M Hasa, G Ribaldi, J Pittinari; D Sisi, L Krumov; D Ruggeri, I Bianchi, G Licata (Capt).
The substitutes for the upcoming match include T Di Bartolomeo, L Rizzoli, R Genovese, M Canali, J Kaifa, A Fusco, D Mazza, and P Bruno. The LEINSTER team is headed by captain S Penny and features C Frawley, R Russell, L Turner, J Osborne, A Osborne, R Byrne, L McGrath, E Byrne, L Barron, T Clarkson, R Molony, J Jenkins, W Connors, and Max Deegan. The roll call of replacements for this team comprises J McKee, M Milne, M Ala’alatoa, B Deeny, D Mangan, F Gunne, S Prendergast, and H McErlean. The match referee will be M Jonker from South Africa.