LEO CULLEN HAS made five changes to the Leinster team that lost to Glasgow Warriors, as the province face the Sharks in the URC on Saturday in the RDS Arena (KO: 4:55pm, RTÉ2 and Premier Sports 1).
There are two changes in the backline, with Jamie Osborne and Cormac Foley coming into the starting lineup.
In the forwards, Michael Ala’alatoa returns to the team for his first appearance since starring for Samoa in the Rugby World Cup. Lee Barron and Rhys Ruddock also come into the pack.
Ciarán Frawley starts at full-back, with Tommy O’Brien and Jordan Larmour on the wings. Osborne joins Charlie Ngatai in the centre, with Harry Byrne and Foley completing the back line.
In the pack, Jack Boyle starts alongside Barron and Ala’alatoa in the front row. Ross Molony and Jason Jenkins retain their places in the second row with Ruddock, captain Scott Penny and Max Deegan – making his 100th Leinster appearance – in the back row.
Among the replacements, Clontarf hooker Dylan Donnellan is in line to make his Leinster debut, while Paddy McCarthy, Rory McGuire, Ben Murphy and Sam Prendergast look set to play for Leinster in the RDS for the first time.
The Hollywoodbets Sharks team to tackle Leinster in our second game of the Vodacom United Rugby Championship 🦈
— The Sharks (@SharksRugby) October 27, 2023
Full article: https://t.co/Spz8nH2W0I#FearTheFin @Vodacom #URC #LEIvSHA pic.twitter.com/H5RX5H9JoG
Leinster:
- 15. Ciarán Frawley
- 14. Tommy O’Brien
- 13. Jamie Osborne
- 12. Charlie Ngatai
- 11. Jordan Larmour
- 10. Harry Byrne
- 9. Cormac Foley
- 1. Jack Boyle
- 2. Lee Barron
- 3. Michael Ala’alatoa
- 4. Ross Molony
- 5. Jason Jenkins
- 6. Rhys Ruddock
- 7. Scott Penny (capt)
- 8. Max Deegan
Replacements:
- 16. Dylan Donnellan
- 17. Paddy McCarthy
- 18. Rory McGuire
- 19. Brian Deeny
- 20. Will Connors
- 21. Ben Murphy
- 22. Sam Prendergast
- 23. Rob Russell
Ref: Federico Vedovelli (FIR)
The one time he used an arm in a tackle he nearly decapitated a lad. He’s safer with his no arm efforts, plus he never gets carded for them.
He’s only ‘incredibly regretful’ because a ref finally had the stones to do something about his persistent cheap shots and dreadful technique during a game. Overrated player regardless, I hope he has the book thrown at him.
@Carmine Lorenzo: ah but he’s sorry
@Carmine Lorenzo: terrible challenge but far from overrated
@Stephen Duffy: He’s not as good a 10 as the likes of ‘Barnesey’ and Stephen Jones make out.
@Carmine Lorenzo: ah lads over rated. He is a work horse with a good brain and a winner. He is loyal to a club that yes we all cant abide but he is an outstanding player. Id love if he joined Munster….as unpopular that is to say but we would win a cup
@Carmine Lorenzo: I was surprised to read it was his first red card of his career. He is involved in high tackles quite regularly. Great player but plays on the edge too much for me.
He has been tackling like this for years and never sanctioned for it. He deserves everything he gets too. He’s a brilliant player but he’s a dirty player too.
@Batster: 100% agree. They need to make a statement for whole of rugby here.
His reaction indicated he realised he’d miss the Leinster game, bugger all remorse really. But the Sarries PR machine running to defend him, will ensure he gets the minimum ban possible….
Want to see him play. Class player
@ollie:
@ollie: You’re some fisherman
@Rosco Bosco: always liked him couldn’t care that he’s English. Fellas class on the ball and decapitates attackers. It’s wrong but he’s unreal
@ollie: aggressive kicking game too
@ollie: aw nobody is biting! I’ll help out. What do you mean Ollie? He’s a fouling no good so-and-so! There, is that better?
Ohhh that’s only the 4th …. maybe 5th time we’ve had to hear that sentiment??
@Dave O’Shaughnessy: actually, check how many bans he’s had
@Dave O’Keeffe:
I know, it’s terrible that he’s gotten away with it for so long.
No he is not sorry at all he is a dirty player and he is only sorry because he was been caught. He has got away with dangerous play for far too long. I hope he gets more than a slap on the hand.
Problem here is the fake arm tackle practiced by a huge percentage of today’s rugby players. They clench their muscles
and throw the arm in in what is essentially a hit rather than an attempt to grab the opponent. Unfortunately for Farrell this dodgy technique allied to the player changing direction and height at the moment of the tackle led to this incredibly dangerous tackle! Still lots of work to be done on tackle technique and defensive coaches expectations!
@CARMODY Neil: very well said.
Incredible knob
His good disciplinary record, are you having a laugh. At last a ref with the guts to stop him.
@Ian James Burgess: what do you mean the guts to stop him
It was a reckless challenge and the worst referee on the planet no matter how incompetent would have to send him off
A long time coming. Talented player but have absolutely no time for him. Filthy player.
So there is low medium and high level and if his is eventually classed as mid, what would high actually be? It would have to be a very frightening outcome it seems. Let’s just wait and see how much they are genuinely stamping out this kind of low life thug.
Big cj stander will shake him off his leg again
I am me….I can do this stuff……I am untouchable…..oh gosh, mebbe not!
Very poor tackling technique. Leads to fouls and dangerous play. Bout time he was sanctioned
Class act marred by cheap shots.
He’ll probably only get a two match ban
He’s a dirt tackler.