Andrew Osborne, a young wing from the academy, will make his inaugural appearance for Leinster in their approaching United Rugby Championship (URC) game against Zebre Parma, staged at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi this Saturday evening (7:35 p.m., Irish time). Footage of the match can be viewed on RTÉ2 and Premier Sports 2.
Twenty-year-old Osborne who has been positioned on the left wing, will be playing alongside his older sibling, Jamie, in the backline. This makes them the third pair of brothers to represent Leinster this season, following Ross and Harry Byrne, and Joe and Paddy McCarthy.
Another player hailing from the Leinster academy, Diarmuid Mangan, multi-skilled in his forward roles, is also slated for his first game. His name has been spotted on the line-up for the Italian visit.
In recent friendly matches against Bath and Saracens, Osborne has showcased his talent. Osborne, the Naas RFC player, has previously tasted victory in the under-20 Grand Slam for Ireland last year. Just like Mangan, a Newbridge College graduate, he was a part of the Ireland Under-20 Six Nations squad last year.
Ciarán Frawley, fresh from national duties, resumes his fullback role for Leinster and will be backed by Rob Russell and the debuting Andrew Osborne in the rear trio. The midline will see Liam Turner joining Jamie Osborne while Ross Byne and Luke McGrath remain the halfback duo.
Ed Byrne, the loosehead prop, is set to bag his 100th cap since his 2014 debut when he entered as a substitute back in Parma against Zebre. His frontrow partners will be Lee Barron, the hooker, and Thomas Clarkson.
In the second row, Ross Molony will be paired with Jason Jenkins, with Will Connors, team captain Scott Penny, and Max Deegan finalizing the pack. Replacement reserves include academy recruits like Mangan, Fintan Gunne and Henry McErlean.
Jacques Nienaber, Leinster’s senior coach, finds the URC games and friendly matches during Six Nations invaluable to broaden the squad’s exposure.
He believes that their previous matches conducted sans international players have proven a great character test for the squad, commenting, “We got well tested in these matches.” ahead of the Saturday game.
For the match against Zebre, the Leinster team will feature Ciarán Frawley, Rob Russell, Liam Turner, Jamie Osborne, Andrew Osborne, Ross Byrne, Luke McGrath, Ed Byrne, Lee Barron, Thomas Clarkson, Ross Molony, Jason Jenkins, Will Connors, Scott Penny (captain), and Max Deegan. The substitutes will include John McKee, Michael Milne, Michael Ala’alatoa, Brian Deeny, Diarmuid Mangan, Fintan Gunne, Sam Prendergast, and Henry McErlean.
On the other hand, Richie Murphy, Ulster’s interim head coach, has chosen his team for the Saturday afternoon match against the Sharks at Kings Park in Durban, which will be broadcast live on Premier Sports at 1.0pm Irish time. In the squad, Iain Henderson, on his return from playing for Ireland, will be captain and will join Kieran Treadwell, who’s back for the first time after a rib injury incurred during a game against Harlequins in January.
Murphy has chosen a powerful trio for the front row: Steven Kitshoff – the Springbok prop is joined by hooker Tom Stewart and tighthead prop Tom O’Toole. In the back row, Harry Sheridan will play at blindside flanker, with David McCann on the openside and Nick Timoney in the number eight position.
A returning Stuart McCloskey teams up with James Hume in the midfield after his service for Ireland. The halfback roles will be served by John Cooney and Billy Burns, while Mike Lowry and Ethan McIlroy are starting on the left and right wings, respectively, and Will Addison serving as fullback.
The reserve seats feature a 6:2 split that’s favoured by Murphy. Forwards John Andrew, Andrew Warwick, Scott Wilson, Cormac Izuchukwu, Matty Rea, and Sean Reffell are included, while Nathan Doak and Jude Postlethwaite feature as the backups.
For the forthcoming match against the Lions taking place at Dexcom Stadium, Pete Wilkins, Connacht’s leading coach, has made alterations to the team that emerged victorious against the Scarlets a mere three weeks before. The changes, which come to five in total, are all amongst the pack. Denis Buckley fills the prop’s role, with Tadgh McElroy as hooker, Joe Joyce as lock, along with Conor Oliver taking the flanker’s position and Seán O’Brien performing as number eight.
Connacht eyes are set on securing a fourth consecutive win in the tournament, which will bring them closer to their goal of qualifying for the playoffs and ensuring a place in next season’s Champions Cup. Approaching the match, Wilkins shared, “As we enter a crucial phase of games in the URC and Challenge Cup, tomorrow’s match is incredibly important. We successfully navigated the Six Nations stretch with two critical victories, and we plan to continue with that momentum for the rest of the season”.
He added, “The Lions, becoming stronger each year they compete, are now one of the most formidable South African teams when playing away. We’re thoroughly cognisant of the uphill task in front of us and the necessity for us to deliver our top-level performance to secure a win.”
Against the Lions, Connacht’s team includes Tiernan O’Halloran, Byron Ralston, David Hawkshaw, Cathal Forde, Andrew Smith, JJ Hanrahan, Caolin Blade, Denis Buckley, Tadgh McElroy, Jack Aungier, Niall Murray, Joe Joyce, Cian Prendergast, Conor Oliver, and Seán O’Brien.
Those replacing them if needed are Dave Heffernan, Jordan Duggan, Sam Illo, Darragh Murray, Shamus Hurley-Langton, Colm Reilly, Jack Carty, Paul Boyle.