SEVEN POINTS ADRIFT of Leinster in Pool 4, Northampton Saints’ team selection for today’s Champions Cup (kick-off 19.45, BT Sport) clash at the Aviva suggests they have given up the chase for a quarter-final spot.
The back-line remains potent, with JJ Hanrahan able to shake off an ankle knock to square up opposite Robbie Henshaw. But on top of losing Dylan Hartley to, well, Dylan Hartley Jim Mallinder has rested his back-up Mikey Haywood, Courtney Lawes, Tom Wood and Louis Picamoles.
Cullen though, struck down through the suggestion that the Saints had given up the ghost in this tournament by pointing to the damage they can still do his side’s chances.
“It’s a dangerous attitude to say that. Some of those are really young guys who’ve waited for an opportunity.”
Tommy Dickson / INPHO
Tommy Dickson / INPHO / INPHO
The head coach added:
“Calum Clark, he’s someone that we expected to play this week, because he’s a key leader for them and the way they play.
“The presence that he has at the breakdown in particular. [Teimana] Harrison is an England international coming in as well. He was away, so they’ve got experienced guys coming in there, it’s not like they’re young kids.
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“They’ve all played and have Premiership experience. Kieran Brookes is another international coming back in, so I see it as internationals replacing internationals.
“And sometimes it’s best having the freshest guys, the hungriest guys to play. I just think we need to focus on ourselves now at this stage. We’ve prepped and looked at a lot of these Northampton players over the last couple of weeks. So players were well prepped leading into last week, because we didn’t know who was going to be coming back post November internationals.”
Sean O'Brien tickling Isa Nacewa. Tommy Dickson / INPHO
Tommy Dickson / INPHO / INPHO
Leinster’s performance last weekend ensured Irish rugby’s stock continued to rise after an excellent November at Test level. Having entered the back-to-back phase marginally ahead of the chasing pack, Leinster are fixing their sights not only on topping the pool, but also securing a home quarter-final.
There is a good feeling around the eastern province again, an easy confidence and a willingness to risk a joke even though they’ve had to patch up Noel Reid to be the back-up out-half this week.
Tommy Dickson / INPHO
Tommy Dickson / INPHO / INPHO
Robbie Henshaw has apparently been putting his hand up for the 10 role since coming back from the knock-out blow sustained against the All Blacks. Hopefully it won’t come to that. The Athlone man is firmly settled into being an inside centre. He winces a little when he looks through the Leinster team-sheet and notices that he’s the least-capped Leinster player in the squad.
“I’m looking to get that number up certainly. It was a frustrating start for me, obviously watching from the sidelines. Thank god I’m back. I’m fit and available so just looking to keep going now and keep playing.”
Henshaw and Hanrahan battle for a loose ball last week. Inpho / Billy Stickland
Inpho / Billy Stickland / Billy Stickland
“It’s going really well with Garry. It was great to have him in camp as well. I was closer to him for a few weeks in the November period.
“Unfortunately, I didn’t get to play with him against Australia. He is getting better and better and we’re finding out more about each other as the weeks go on. The relationship is growing. We have a good feeling from one another and he is exceptional player.”
Garry is a natural 13. He is unbelievable at what he does. I love to get the ball into his hands and let him do his thing, let him beat a few players and make a few line breaks.
“It’s working well and, hopefully, it will continue to work throughout the year.”
Last week, Northampton’s main attacking threat came through Hanrahan in the midfield channel, so there will be an onus on Ringrose and Henshaw to shut the Kerryman down. However, at the Aviva Stadium, the pair will surely have some thoughts of big international days together in the not too distant future.
Leinster
15. Zane Kirchner
14. Adam Byrne
13. Garry Ringrose
12. Robbie Henshaw
11. Isa Nacewa
10. Ross Byrne
9. Luke McGrath
1. Jack McGrath
2. Sean Cronin
3. Tadhg Furlong
4. Devin Toner
5. Hayden Triggs
6. Sean O’Brien
7. Josh van der Flier
8. Jamie Heaslip
Replacements:
16. James Tracy
17. Cian Healy
18. Michael Bent
19. Rhys Ruddock
20. Jack Conan
21. Jamison Gibson-Park
22. Noel Reid
23. Rory O’Loughlin
Northampton Saints
15. Ahsee Tuala
14. Ken Pisi
13. George Pisi
12. JJ Hanrahan
11. Tom Collins
10. Steve Myler
9. Nic Groom
1. Ethan Waller
2. Charlie Clare
3. Kieran Brookes
4. Api Ratuniyarawa
5. James Craig
6. Jamie Gibson
7. Calum Clark
8. Teimana Harrison
Replacements:
16. James Fish
17. Alex Waller
18. Paul Hill
19. Michael Paterson
20. Ben Nutley
21. Tom Kessell
22. Rory Hutchinson
23. James Wilson
Leinster staying wary of understrength Saints
SEVEN POINTS ADRIFT of Leinster in Pool 4, Northampton Saints’ team selection for today’s Champions Cup (kick-off 19.45, BT Sport) clash at the Aviva suggests they have given up the chase for a quarter-final spot.
The back-line remains potent, with JJ Hanrahan able to shake off an ankle knock to square up opposite Robbie Henshaw. But on top of losing Dylan Hartley to, well, Dylan Hartley Jim Mallinder has rested his back-up Mikey Haywood, Courtney Lawes, Tom Wood and Louis Picamoles.
Cullen though, struck down through the suggestion that the Saints had given up the ghost in this tournament by pointing to the damage they can still do his side’s chances.
“It’s a dangerous attitude to say that. Some of those are really young guys who’ve waited for an opportunity.”
The head coach added:
“Calum Clark, he’s someone that we expected to play this week, because he’s a key leader for them and the way they play.
“The presence that he has at the breakdown in particular. [Teimana] Harrison is an England international coming in as well. He was away, so they’ve got experienced guys coming in there, it’s not like they’re young kids.
“They’ve all played and have Premiership experience. Kieran Brookes is another international coming back in, so I see it as internationals replacing internationals.
“And sometimes it’s best having the freshest guys, the hungriest guys to play. I just think we need to focus on ourselves now at this stage. We’ve prepped and looked at a lot of these Northampton players over the last couple of weeks. So players were well prepped leading into last week, because we didn’t know who was going to be coming back post November internationals.”
Leinster’s performance last weekend ensured Irish rugby’s stock continued to rise after an excellent November at Test level. Having entered the back-to-back phase marginally ahead of the chasing pack, Leinster are fixing their sights not only on topping the pool, but also securing a home quarter-final.
There is a good feeling around the eastern province again, an easy confidence and a willingness to risk a joke even though they’ve had to patch up Noel Reid to be the back-up out-half this week.
Robbie Henshaw has apparently been putting his hand up for the 10 role since coming back from the knock-out blow sustained against the All Blacks. Hopefully it won’t come to that. The Athlone man is firmly settled into being an inside centre. He winces a little when he looks through the Leinster team-sheet and notices that he’s the least-capped Leinster player in the squad.
“I’m looking to get that number up certainly. It was a frustrating start for me, obviously watching from the sidelines. Thank god I’m back. I’m fit and available so just looking to keep going now and keep playing.”
“It’s going really well with Garry. It was great to have him in camp as well. I was closer to him for a few weeks in the November period.
“Unfortunately, I didn’t get to play with him against Australia. He is getting better and better and we’re finding out more about each other as the weeks go on. The relationship is growing. We have a good feeling from one another and he is exceptional player.”
“It’s working well and, hopefully, it will continue to work throughout the year.”
Last week, Northampton’s main attacking threat came through Hanrahan in the midfield channel, so there will be an onus on Ringrose and Henshaw to shut the Kerryman down. However, at the Aviva Stadium, the pair will surely have some thoughts of big international days together in the not too distant future.
Leinster
15. Zane Kirchner
14. Adam Byrne
13. Garry Ringrose
12. Robbie Henshaw
11. Isa Nacewa
10. Ross Byrne
9. Luke McGrath
1. Jack McGrath
2. Sean Cronin
3. Tadhg Furlong
4. Devin Toner
5. Hayden Triggs
6. Sean O’Brien
7. Josh van der Flier
8. Jamie Heaslip
Replacements:
16. James Tracy
17. Cian Healy
18. Michael Bent
19. Rhys Ruddock
20. Jack Conan
21. Jamison Gibson-Park
22. Noel Reid
23. Rory O’Loughlin
Northampton Saints
15. Ahsee Tuala
14. Ken Pisi
13. George Pisi
12. JJ Hanrahan
11. Tom Collins
10. Steve Myler
9. Nic Groom
1. Ethan Waller
2. Charlie Clare
3. Kieran Brookes
4. Api Ratuniyarawa
5. James Craig
6. Jamie Gibson
7. Calum Clark
8. Teimana Harrison
Replacements:
16. James Fish
17. Alex Waller
18. Paul Hill
19. Michael Paterson
20. Ben Nutley
21. Tom Kessell
22. Rory Hutchinson
23. James Wilson
Leinster comfortable with Byrne as surgery sidelines Carbery for at least six weeks
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