JOSH VAN DER Flier and Ross Molony have both been named in Leinster’s starting XV for tomorrow’s Champions Cup semi-final meeting with Northampton Saints at Croke Park [KO 5.30pm, RTÉ/TNT Sports].
They are the only two changes from the team that started the quarter-final win over La Rochelle.
Garry Ringrose and Hugo Keenan both miss out despite returning to full training this week.
Ringrose has been struggling with a shoulder injury while Keenan has failed to recover from a hip problem.
However Jimmy O’Brien returns to the Leinster bench and is primed to make his first appearance since December.
With Ringrose and Keenan ruled out, Ciarán Frawley starts at fullback and Jamie Osborne continues at centre in a backline which is unchanged from the defeat of La Rochelle.
Flanker Will Connors misses out in the matchday 23 despite having started the quarter-final.
Frawley starts at 15 with James Lowe and Jordan Larmour on the wings, while 22-year-old Osborne continues his midfield partnership with Robbie Henshaw.
Jamison Gibson-Park starts at scrum-half with Ross Byrne – player of the match against La Rochelle – at out-half.
The Leinster front row is also unchanged from the quarter-final, with the all-Ireland international trio of Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan and Tadhg Furlong set to scrum down.
Joe McCarthy starts in the second row alongside Molony, who comes into the side ahead of Jason Jenkins.
Caelan Doris captains the side from number eight, with Ryan Baird and van der Flier completing the back row.
Rónan Kelleher, Cian Healy and Michael Ala’alatoa provide front row cover on the bench. Healy is set to become the all-time appearance holder in the history of the Champions Cup, with the prop is currently on 110 appearances, alongside Ronan O’Gara.
Jenkins and Jack Conan are also on the bench, in a 5:3 split.
Luke McGrath, Harry Byrne and O’Brien are the backline replacements.
Northampton are without captain Lewis Ludlam, while Ollie Sleightholme also misses out.
Leinster:
15. Ciarán Frawley
14. Jordan Larmour
13. Robbie Henshaw
12. Jamie Osborne
11. James Lowe
10. Ross Byrne
9. Jamison Gibson-Park
1. Andrew Porter
2. Dan Sheehan
3. Tadhg Furlong
4. Ross Molony
5. Joe McCarthy
6. Ryan Baird
7. Josh van der Flier
8. Caelan Doris (capt)
Replacements:
16. Rónan Kelleher
17. Cian Healy
18. Michael Ala’alatoa
19. Jason Jenkins
20. Jack Conan
21. Luke McGrath
22. Harry Byrne
23. Jimmy O’Brien
Northampton Saints:
15. George Furbank
14. James Ramm
13. Tommy Freeman
12. Fraser Dingwall
11. George Hendy
10. Fin Smith
9. Alex Mitchell
1. Alex Waller
2. Curtis Langdon
3. Trevor Davison
4. Alex Moon
5. Alex Coles
6. Courtney Lawes (capt)
7. Sam Graham
8. Juarno Augustus
Replacements:
16. Sam Matavesi
17. Emmanuel Iyogun
18. Elliot Millar Mills
19. Temo Mayanavanua
20. Angus Scott-Young
21. Tom James
22. Tom Litchfield
23. Tom Seabrook
Referee: Mathieu Reynal (Fra)
Ringrose and Ryan’s injuries have been dragging on a long long time….
Prob for the best though not to rush them back…
@Tom: 100%… I don’t think there was any real chance that Ringrose was going to be back. It would be nice if both are in contention for the URC knock outs and they will be essential for any potential finals.
@Paul Ennis: Ryan is out for the rest of the season
@Harry O’ Callaghan: I haven’t seen that reported. Last I heard he was close to return and was hopeful of before the end of May.
@Paul Ennis: he trained earlier in the week and had a mid week set back apparently.
@Oran Burns: Ah, I must have missed that. That’s pretty major news. Whatever about the URC, we will need him for the 25th May if we get there.
Tough on Connors but think it’s the right decision. Not sure if Ringrose is fully fit but even if he was, it would have been very tough to break up the Osbourne and Henshaw partnership after that La Rochelle game. JOB also more versatile at 23. Leinster by 9. COYBIB
Sleightholme and Ludlum missing out is a big boost for us, also I think Freeman is a much better wing than 13 so that’s good to see too
@Andrew Slazenger: agreed. big fan of Freeman’s work, I think he’ll be a Lion in 12 months if he stays injury free.
@Carmine Lorenzo: Completely agree, he’s electric and also a very intelligent player
@Carmine Lorenzo: no where near macks standard
@Andrew Slazenger: mack way better
@Gary Galligan: Mack is more skillful and better for Ireland’s gameplan but Freeman’s acceleration, top speed and footwork is superior. Taking it back to this game I’d be slightly worried about him Vs Henshaw in the 13 channel
@Gary Galligan: no reason both couldn’t be selected in a Lions squad. Different profiles. Some quality wingers on show across Ireland, england, Wales, Scotland.
Worth noting that Northampton are missing Ludlam and Sleightholme.
Still, very surprised by Leinster going with a 5-3 bench. O’Brien, Frawley and Osborne’s versatility should have more than facilitated a 6-2 for more impact up front in the closing 30 minutes
@teuO6nLS: That’s Leinster saying they’re confident their pack will be on top, but they’re worried about the skill of Northampton backs.
@teuO6nLS: Harry byrne makes no sense taking up a space only to be used if Ross gets injured. Even then moving frawley to 10 and Jimmy to 15 is a better option
@Conor Lynott: No, it doesn’t. They’re not going to make a decision on the make up of the bench based on the opposition skills. Does having 2 Byrnes and Frawley help them overcome Saints’ skill levels?
@Andrew Martin Farrell: I think Conor’s point has a certain validity. The 6:2 for Ireland has made sense when our forwards needed to give everything for 50 minutes and then come off. Connor’s selection v La Rochelle was important but a 6:2 bench was essential to make it work as you couldn’t pick an out and out 7 on a 5:3 bench. Against Northampton, having cover in the back 3 is more important than a forward dominated bench.
@Paul Ennis: That’s not the same as Leinster being worried about Northampton’s skills. I would have gone for a 5-3 split and not because they can pass the ball well. There’s no way Cullen makes this call based on their skills.
@Andrew Martin Farrell: They want speed in the last quarter. Extra backs on the bench help with defence In the wide channels. I think Northampton will try to run Leinster ragged rather than go toe to toe in the pack. Northampton’s backs try to cut lose in the second half, e.g. vs Munster and Bordeux so this matches fire with fire. They expect a completely different game to the one vs La Rochelle.
@Andrew Martin Farrell: Of course they change the team based on the strength of the opposition. That’s why Connors is not playing this time out and the 6:2 format is not being used. Northampton’s back three are a consideration and influenced Leinster’s selection.
@chris mcdonnell: Harry started in the road wins at La Rochelle and Leicester.
@Conor Lynott: yeah good point.
@chris mcdonnell: I think that’s to cover the centre in case of need, knowing that JOB can cover 11, 12, 14 & 15 and Frawley too. I think Rob Russel would have been a better fit instead of Harry. Much more flexibility using Russel, Frawley and JOB in whatever combination is warranted.
@Andrew Martin Farrell: It’s kind of the same thing. We are not picking 6:2 because of what they don’t offer OR we are picking 5:3 because of what they do. Put it whichever way sits better with you. The very best (South Africa) pick their match day squads based on the opposition they face. Why shouldn’t Leinster do the same?
@Conor Lynott: I don’t think Northampton are as foolish to think that they will run Leinster ragged. I think their squad selection and tactics are leaning towards their own strengths and to play their best game… they won’t out Leinster Leinster, they will hope that they are still in the game with 20 minutes left and enough energy left to pull off a shock.
@Con Cussed: plus its a much bigger pitch than they are used to, ECPR have marked it wider than Aviva or RDS
Northampton could do a job here.
@Sam Bingham: Not our strongest 23 but the 23 that beat LaR
@Sam Bingham: Of course they “could”, but it’s unlikely. That’s a better Leinster team than the one that beat La Rochelle.
@Sam Bingham: sincerely doubt that. Even shorn a few starters, it’s a strong and cohesive Leinster side who will be infinitely more motivated than Saints, having lost so many knock-out games previously and now also playing Croke Park.
@Sam Bingham: won’t happen, this Northampton team isn’t as strong as people think, twice an injury ravaged/ill Munster lead against Northampton and couldn’t close it out due to a weakened bench, then the bulls send over a B team. Leinster will destroy them
Ringrose and Keenan are massive losses, especially as Northampton’s strength is their attacking backs and both are supreme defenders. JOB may be rusty but if Frawley is getting exposed, he can come on at FB a secure things, so a wise bench pick but harsh on Connors
Having Harry on the bench makes sense as before the Leicester game, it was a genuine 50:50 call on who starts at 10 between him and Ross.
Need JOB on the bench as if Frawley gets exposed at 15 again, there is a very able, all be it very little gametime behind him, to slot in at 15.
Frawley is, at best, a ball playing 12. He doesn’t have the speed for back three or the control of a 10.
If JOB or Rngrose had of been fit, I’d of preferred Larmour at 15 and either Osbourne or JOB at 14.
Very nervous of Big Mike at back up tighthead. Been ripped apart in every game bar the Leicester game.
The Leinster bench (with the exception of Conan and kelleher) isn’t all that strong. JOB hasn’t played since December and To come back to a semi in front of 82k is huge. Be very interesting if Northampton stay in the game to 60-65 mins, which they may well do.
@Conor: why is Harry byrne on the bench? With Jimmy covering almost everywhere and frawley surely a player with impact on the bench is a better option?
@chris mcdonnell: Frawley is starting at FB. Putting him on the bench, who goes FB?
@Conor Mulloy: Frawley starts at 15 but could move to 10 if Ross went off with O’Brien slotting in at 15
@Conor Mulloy: i didnt say put him on the bench, frawely starts at 15 and can move to 10 or 12 if needed, Jimmy can cover11, 14 and 15 or larmour can move to 15 and Jimmy to the wing. Harry is covering one position and nothing else
@teuO6nLS: thats the best worst case scenario
5-3 split interesting , Leinster probably feel they can dominate the Saints pack and want the extra back cover in case of injury, cards or the game gets loose. Croke park is also a much bigger pitch so more space out wide
Frawley & Molony are the surprise selections for me. O’Brien and Jenkins would provide better balance for this opposition. Much happier with O’Brien’s positioning and counter-attacking and with Jenkins’ scrum & maul work.
Hopeful that we start like a train in all set-pieces, including restarts.
Not much of an overview on the Saints team.
With Frawley at 15 find the Harry Byrne selection a bit strange. Thought his attitude in the Lions game was shocking, played like a guy who didn’t want to be there. Can’t have that sort of stuff at Leinster
@Mistral Great to see the other provinces getting behind Leinster – thanks for the support
Sleightholme and Ludlum missing is huge.
Leinster should win this handy enough.