Connacht Eagles 17
Leinster ‘A’ 0
NATHAN WHITE MADE his return from an arm injury in the Connacht Eagles’ 17-0 win over Leinster ‘A’ on a miserable evening in Galway.
The 33-year-old was in line to make his Ireland debut last November, but a ruptured arm tendon at the end of October ruled him out of involvement with Joe Schmidt’s squad.
New Zealand native White qualifies for Ireland under residency rules and may now come back into the frame with the Six Nations looming.
White suffered a spectacular blood injury on his return at the Sportsground, as wretched weather conditions prevented the ‘A’ clash from sparking. Tries from Mata Fifita and Conor Finn, as well as seven points from the boot of out-half Shane O’Leary secured the win for Nigel Carolan’s side.
The Eagles XV included Ultan Dillane, whose new two-year senior deal was announced today, and veteran lock Michael Swift. Leinster’s youthful team, meanwhile, was captained by centre Colm O’Shea.
CONNACHT EAGLES: Shane Layden, Niyi Adeolokun, Conor Finn, Peter Robb, Fionn Carr; Shane O’Leary, John Cooney; Ronan Loughney, Jack Dinneen, Nathan White; Michael Swift (capt.), Ultan Dillane; Andrew Browne, Mata Fifita, Danny Qualter.
Replacements: John Healy, Jacob Walshe, Saba Meunargia, Eoghan Masterson, James Connolly, Conor Lowndes, Conor McKeon, Rory Parata, Cian O’Donoughue, Conor Kyne.
LEINSTER ‘A’: Billy Dardis; Sam Coghlan Murray, Colm O’Shea (capt.), Steve Crosbie, Garry Ringrose; Joey Carbery, Charlie Rock; Ian Hirst, James Tracy, Oisin Heffernan; Tadhg Beirne, Gavin Thornbury; Jordan Coghlan, Nick Timoney, Peadar Timmins.
Replacements: Bryan Byrne, Maks Van Dyk, Jeremy Loughman, Josh Murphy, Conor Oliver, Nick McCarthy, Harrison Brewer, Adam Byrne.
Below are some of the standout photos from the action in Galway:
White suffered a nasty-looking blood injury
Meaning some unorthodox measures with the bandages
Mata Fifita carried hard and scored a try
Try-scorer Conor Finn enjoyed the downpour
Jake Dineen was helped off with an injury
As Garry Ringrose was stifled in attack
Peter Robb trucked it up in midfield
The wind made it tricky for Shane O’Leary
Leinster were left dejected
Saw most of this match on a mine site in the middle of nowhere Australia thanks to buff Egan. Hail hail