Ahead of their United Rugby Championship semi-final against the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria, Leinster has been given a significant boost. This follows the news that Garry Ringrose has recovered from injury and will rejoin Robbie Henshaw in midfield for the Saturday game (3pm Irish time, televised live on RTÉ One). Ringrose’s return to play for the first time since January is the only modification decided by head coach Leo Cullen from the team that triumphed over Ulster in the previous weekend’s quarter-finals at the Aviva Stadium. Jack Conan, who had been absent last weekend, will also be back amongst the substitutes, while Jamie Osborne will bow out to the bench in light of Ringrose’s re-entry. Leinster’s forwards coach, Robin McBryde, prior to the encounter expressed that the team is geared up for the intensity of knock-out rugby in South Africa. He acknowledged the demanding environment they are to face, but maintained a strong belief in their potential for a favourable outcome.
In a separate development, Munster team for their semi-final against Glasgow Warriors on Saturday evening (6pm, airtime on TG4) will feature two changes. The line-up that emerged victorious against Ospreys in the quarter-final last week will be witnessing four changes and a positional alteration. Mike Haley and Alex Nankivell are to be reincorporated into the backline, whilst Simon Zebo will be positioned on the wing. In the pack, Fineen Wycherley and Jack O’Donoghue will be initiated by the Munster. Returning Nankivell, heeling from an ankling issue, alongside Antoine Frisch will be reviving their centre partnership. Jack Crowley and Craig Casey will be maintaining their position as starting halfbacks for the fifth successive game. The unchanged frontrow will feature Jeremy Loughman, Niall Scannell and Stephen Archer, while captain Tadhg Beirne and Fineen Wycherley will be in the engine room. John Hodnett, Peter O’Mahony and Jack O’Donoghue complete the team. For frontrow back-up, Munster have Diarmuid Barron, John Ryan and Oli Jager. The forward cover consists of RG Snyman, Gavin Coombes and Alex Kendellen. Conor Murray and Seán O’Brien are slotted for backline replacements.
Calvin Nash had to sit out the most recent game due to an injury to his leg. Here’s a rundown of the team line-ups. For the Bulls, players included Willie le Roux, Sergeal Petersen, David Kriel, Harold Vorster, Devon Williams, with Johan Goosen and Embrose Papier to name a few. Akker van der Merwe, Simphiwe Matanzima, and Francois Klopper, among others, were the replacements.
Leinster’s team had Jimmy O’Brien, Jordan Larmour, Garry Ringrose, Robbie Henshaw and James Lowe. Replacements included Rónan Kelleher, Cian Healy, and Michael Ala’alatoa. Sam Grove-White from Scotland was in charge as the referee.
Munster saw players like Mike Haley, Shane Daly, Antoine Frisch and Alex Nankivell take the field, with Jack Crowley and Craig Casey among others. Diarmuid Barron, John Ryan, Oli Jager were among the backups.
Lastly, Glasgow Warriors included players like Josh McKay, Sebastian Cancelliere, Huw Jones, Sione Tuipulotu and Kyle Steyn. Their substitutes included Jamie Bhatti, Johnny Matthews, Zander Fagerson, Scott Cummings, and Richie Gray. Jack Dempsey, among others, took the field alongside team captain, Steyn.
In a substitute position we find: George Turner, Oli Kebble, Murphy Walker, Max Williamson, Euan Ferrie, Henco Venter, Jamie Dobie, and Ross Thompson. The game officiator is Andrea Piardi, hailing from Italy.