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Ulster’s head coach Richie Murphy expected a full strength Leinster team ready and waiting for him at the Aviva, I imagined it would be somewhat closer to the side that ran out versus the Sharks. Can both us of be right? It looks like it.
Leo Cullen has selected an exciting side for their home fixture against Ulster later today. Leinster’s backline is start studded and will have many of the faces Richie Murphy and co would have been preparing for in the buildup. However, Cullen has balanced the punchy outside backs with a pack, that is built up of players chomping at the bit for match minutes.
The most recently capped Irish international Jack Boyle comes into the side alongside, the baby faced assassins Gus McCarthy and Tom Clarkson, both of whom have earned their first caps this season. In Clarkson’s case, Cullen and co have slowly but surely been drip feeding games to Clarkson to the point now where he’s able to start interprovincial derbies and no one looks twice. All three front rowers are well and truly part of the modern day mould of props and hookers, combing their set piece accuracy with athleticism in both attack and defence. Keep and eye out for how hard these guys work in defence.
At just 24 years of age, Joe McCarthy is the veteran in the pack and it will be interesting to see how he performs without his established internationals alongside him. He’s joined in the second row by Diarmuid Mangan, who earned his first European cap last weekend versus Glasgow. Mangan has switched between the back and second row throughout his career but has begun to impress as a lock at Leinster. The 22 year old was recently called into Simon Easterby’s Ireland squad as a developmental player.
Alex Soroka, Scott Penny and James Culhane combine in the backrow. Alex Soroka has looked a cut above in his limited appearances this year. He looks mean and seems to relish in this Leinster system. You’d be forgiven for thinking Soroka was an elder statesman in this particular team having made his debut in 2021, but at 24 years of age, the Clontarf man has his whole career ahead of him.
Ciaran Frawley has another opportunity to show his credentials as a flyhalf versus Ulster. The Skerries man has had a difficult season. He began the November internationals on the bench versus New Zealnd and now sits in limbo but domestically and internationally. His drop goal performances versus South Africa had everyone sat in their seats waiting for him to kick on, but progress and sport is never linear. More than half of Frawley’s games this season have come in his preferred 10 shirt. His race isn’t run but if you believe in momentum in sport as I do, Frawley needs some.
Robbie Henshaw and Garry Ringrose anchor the team in the centres and will set the tone from top to bottom. Jordie Barrett has set the standard for every rugby player in not only the URC but the Champions Cup this year and if Leinster’s established centre combination want to start big games they need to look a class above in every game they get.
Tommy O’Brien has added a new element to Leinster’s attack this season. After a difficult defeat to Frace during the Six Nations, Irish fans were calling for speed, calling for pace. Tommy O’Brien fits the bill but packs some bite to match. He just needs an injury free run. He makes up a back three with Jimmy O’Brien and Jamie Osbourne.
Standards in the squad have never been higher and Cullen has picked bench that puts pressure on his starters to perform from the get go. Almost saying “I want to use the bench, so give me a reason not to”.
RG Snyman, Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan ,Tadhg Furlong, Max Deegan and Sam Prendergast are ready and waiting. Fintan Gunne is one of the most promising scrumhalf prospects Leinster have had in some time and he’ll be looking for a chance to impress as well.
I don’t think Ulster necessarily need to win this game, but if they’re going compete in the knockout games they need to play well to convince us their season didn’t end in Bordeaux.
| # | Team | PL | W | L | D | PD | BP | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Leinster Rugby | 14 | 13 | 1 | 0 | 196 | 10 | 62 |
| 2 |  Glasgow Warriors | 14 | 10 | 4 | 0 | 174 | 14 | 54 |
| 3 |  Vodacom Bulls | 14 | 10 | 4 | 0 | 107 | 10 | 50 |
| 4 |  Hollywoodbets Sharks | 15 | 10 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 9 | 49 |
| 5 |  Benetton Treviso | 15 | 8 | 6 | 1 | -51 | 7 | 41 |
| 6 |  Munster Rugby | 14 | 7 | 7 | 0 | -4 | 11 | 39 |
| 7 |  Ulster Rugby | 14 | 7 | 7 | 0 | -17 | 9 | 37 |
| 8 |  Edinburgh Rugby | 15 | 6 | 9 | 0 | 24 | 13 | 37 |
| 9 |  Cardiff Rugby | 14 | 6 | 7 | 1 | -56 | 10 | 36 |
| 10 |  DHL Stormers | 14 | 6 | 8 | 0 | -13 | 11 | 35 |
| 11 |  Scarlets | 14 | 6 | 7 | 1 | 20 | 7 | 33 |
| 12 |  Ospreys | 14 | 6 | 7 | 1 | -13 | 7 | 33 |
| 13 |  Connacht Rugby | 14 | 5 | 9 | 0 | -28 | 13 | 33 |
| 14 |  Emirates Lions | 15 | 6 | 9 | 0 | -45 | 7 | 31 |
| 15 |  Zebre Rugby | 14 | 5 | 9 | 0 | -112 | 7 | 27 |
| 16 |  Dragons | 14 | 1 | 13 | 0 | -185 | 5 | 09 |
