532 : URC Grand Final preview



LEINSTER : 15 Hugo Keenan 14 Tommy O’Brien 13 Rieko Ioane 12 Jamie Osborne 11 James Lowe 10 Sam Prendergast 9 Jamison Gibson‑Park

1 Jerry Cahir 2 Rónan Kelleher 3 Tadhg Furlong 4 Joe McCarthy 5 James Ryan 6 Max Deegan 7 Josh van der Flier 8 Caelan Doris (c)

16 Dan Sheehan 17 Alex Usanov 18 Thomas Clarkson 19 Diarmuid Mangan 20 Jack Conan 21 Luke McGrath 22 Harry Byrne 23 Garry Ringrose


BULLS : 15 Willie le Roux 14 Kurt‑Lee Arendse 13 Canan Moodie 12 Harold Vorster 11 Stravino Jacobs 10 Handré Pollard 9 Embrose Papier

1 Gerhard Steenekamp 2 Johan Grobbelaar 3 Francois Klopper 4 Ruan Vermaak 5 Ruan Nortje 6 Marcell Coetzee (c) 7 Elrigh Louw 8 Cameron Hanekom

16 Marco van Staden 17 Jan‑Hendrik Wessels 18 Wilco Louw 19 Cobus Wiese 20 Jeandre Rudolph 21 Zak Burger 22 Stedman Gans 23 Nizaam Carr


BKT United Rugby Championship

2025/26  Grand Final

Friday, June 19, 2026

Croke Park

KO 7:30pm

Live on : Premier Sports 1, URC.tv

Referee: Andrea Piardi (FIR)

AR 1: Adam Jones (WRU)

AR 2: Ben Breakspear (WRU)

TMO: Matteo Liperini (FIR)

531 : Leinster v Stormers wrap

6 June 2026; Jamison Gibson-Park of Leinster, centre, celebrates with teammates after scoring their side’s second try during the United Rugby Championship semi-final match between Leinster and DHL Stormers at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile


🏉 Rolls Royce 9

🏉 Physicality

🏉 Imperfect Stormers

🏉 Stats stats stats

🏉 And now the Bulls


CIAN O’MUILLEOIR


FULL-TIME THOUGHTS

Liz Power

Scoreline flattered us. Stormers were full of brute force but the lack of discipline did for them

Christy O’Connor

Started off bright, but as the game went on we were struggling. Wasted a number of decent chances when in their 22.

The stormers also wasted a number of chances to punish us. I don’t think the bulls will waste as many chances

Joe Shep

Tbh, a lot of “Muscle Memory” rugby from the likes of JGP (well deserved POTM) but Stormers had our card well marked with strong elements of UBB….. We were lucky they let themselves down with indiscipline and they lacked the game changing flair of Sascha F-M…..A final beckons but more required

Overall we’ve got the individuals but we are NOT a cohesive unit…… I genuinely don’t understand why AF can get the best as a cohesive team having players for only a few weeks yet Leinster don’t 🤔🤷

Kevin Kelehan

Delighted with the game, knew Stormers would be formidable but their hits were massive, they made us work for every yard.

That they won their first card period 3-0 showed how streetwise they are, wasted 3 minutes on one passage of legitimate scrum resets.

The bench was the catalyst, even before the loss of 2 players you could feel the momentum shifting our way. Whilst Conan s brute force and Ringers deftness were probably the main catalysts, you have to mention Usanov, Gus and Mangan all of whom really made an impact against world class opponents.

Finally Sam being a speed bump for massive Stormers loose head in his first tackle situation of today is displaying the fight we need from him to be our 10

Chris McDonnell

A semi final win is a win. Can’t play rugby without a 10 and simply Leo first 2 choices are not good enough.

Jo Kerr

Would have been interesting if the Stormers had Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Cobus Reinach

Tricia Cormac Timothy

Need a decent 10

Odran John OBrien

Sorry to say it’s time for Cullen and Nienaber to go bring in Scott Robertson and Owen Farrell at Five Eighth

Niall O’Higgins

Win is a win but i feel stormers coaching was better – they knew what to do, excellent ruck speed , made leinster appear chaotic by comparison – game plan seems limited compared to skill set of players and wasteful. Scrum is dire. It beggers belief that these players are lions yet are asked to be donkeys – one up runs without support, kick chase – all low percentage plays

Eamon Saunders

Trying to beat the South Africans by playing their game not working but another final to try win

Caroline Wynne

👌💪🤘

Dave Murray

Another final and possibly another URC (which isn’t to be sniffed at) but our tactics and style is not great at all, in my opinion anyway. Nienaber opened the door on an early exit and that is fine by me.

Ruairi Niall Eiméid

Not vintage by Leinster, very stuttering and bland attack but ground out another win to get to the URC Final. Feel a little Déjà vu playing Bulls again in Croker but on Friday Night Lights

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NEXT BATCH OF HARPIN’

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80+ COLUMN (Substack)

530 : Leinster v Stormers preview


LEINSTER : 15 Hugo Keenan 14 Jimmy O’Brien 13 Rieko Ioane 12 Jamie Osborne 11 James Lowe 10 Sam Prendergast 9 Jamison Gibson‑Park

1 Andrew Porter 2 Rónan Kelleher 3 Thomas Clarkson 4 Joe McCarthy 5 James Ryan 6 Max Deegan 7 Josh van der Flier 8 Caelan Doris (c)

16 Gus McCarthy 17 Alex Usanov 18 Rabah Slimani 19 Diarmuid Mangan 20 Jack Conan 21 Luke McGrath 22 Harry Byrne 23 Garry Ringrose


STORMERS : 15 Damian Willemse 14 Wandisile Simelane 13 Ruhan Nel (c) 12 Dan du Plessis 11 Leolin Zas 10 Jurie Matthee 9 Imad Khan
1 Ntuthuko Mchunu 2 André‑Hugo Venter 3 Neethling Fouché 4 Adré Smith 5 Connor Evans 6 Paul de Villiers 7 Ben‑Jason Dixon 8 Evan Roos
16 JJ Kotzé 17 Vernon Matongo 18 Zachary Porthen 19 Salmaan Moerat 20 Ruan Ackermann 21 Marcel Theunissen 22 Stefan Ungerer 23 Warrick Gelant


BKT United Rugby Championship

2025/26  Semifinal

Saturday, June 6, 2026

Aviva Stadium

KO 5:30pm

Live on : TG4, Premier Sports 1, URC.tv

Referee: Hollie Davidson (SRU)

AR 1: Sam Grove-White (SRU)

AR 2: Adam Jones (SRU)

TMO: Mike Adamson (SRU)

526 : Champions Cup final preview



LEINSTER : 15 Hugo Keenan 14 Tommy O’Brien 13 Garry Ringrose 12 Robbie Henshaw 11 Rieko Ioane 10 Harry Byrne 9 Jamison Gibson‑Park

1 Andrew Porter 2 Dan Sheehan 3 Thomas Clarkson 4 Joe McCarthy 5 James Ryan 6 Jack Conan 7 Josh van der Flier 8 Caelan Doris (c)

16 Rónan Kelleher 17 Paddy McCarthy 18 Tadhg Furlong 19 Diarmuid Mangan 20 Max Deegan 21 Luke McGrath 22 Ciarán Frawley 23 Jamie Osborne


BORDEAUX : 15 Salesi Rayasi 14 Pablo Uberti 13 Damian Penaud 12 Yoram Moefana 11 Louis Bielle‑Biarrey 10 Matthieu Jalibert 9 Maxime Lucu (c)

1 Jefferson Poirot 2 Maxime Lamothe 3 Carlu Sadie 4 Boris Palu 5 Adam Coleman 6 Pierre Bochaton 7 Cameron Woki 8 Marko Gazzotti

16 Gaëtan Barlot 17 Ugo Boniface 18 Ben Tameifuna 19 Lachlan Swinton 20 Tevita Matiu 21 Boris Vergnes‑Taillefer 22 Arthur Retière 23 Hugo Reus


Investec Champions Cup

2025/26  FINAL

Saturday, May 23, 2026

San Mames Stadium

KO 2:45pm

Live on : Premier Sports 1

Referee : Karl Dickson (Eng)

AR1 : Christophe Ridley (Eng)

AR2 : Hollie Davidson (Sco)

TMO : Marius van der Westhuizen (SA)

524 : Leinster v Ospreys preview

BELOW IS A BONUS VIDEO RECORDED AFTER FRIDAY NIGHT’S URC MATCHES

LEINSTER : 15 Jimmy O’Brien 14 Tommy O’Brien 13 Garry Ringrose 12 Robbie Henshaw 11 Jordan Larmour 10 Harry Byrne 9 Jamison Gibson‑Park

1 Jerry Cahir 2 Gus McCarthy 3 Rabah Slimani 4 Joe McCarthy 5 Diarmuid Mangan 6 Jack Conan (c) 7 Josh van der Flier 8 James Culhane

16 Rónan Kelleher 17 Alex Usanov 18 Tadhg Furlong 19 Max Deegan 20 Caelan Doris 21 Fintan Gunne 22 Ciarán Frawley 23 James Lowe


OSPREYS : 15 Jack Walsh 14 Keelan Giles 13 Evardi Boshoff 12 Owen Watkin 11 Iestyn Hopkins 10 Dan Edwards 9 Reuben Morgan‑Williams

1 Garyn Phillips 2 Efan Daniel 3 Ben Warren 4 Rhys Davies 5 Huw Sutton 6 James Ratti 7 Jac Morgan (c) 8 Ross Moriarty

16 Lewis Lloyd 17 Cam Jones 18 Kian Hire 19 Ben Roberts 20 Harri Deaves 21 Kieran Hardy 22 Phil Cokanasiga 23 Luke Morgan


BKT United Rugby Championship

2025/26  Round 18

Saturday, May 16, 2026

Aviva Stadium

KO 5:15pm

Live on : Premier Sports 1, URC.tv

Referee: Ru Campbell (SRU)

AR1: Peter Martin (IRFU)

AR2: Dan Carson (IRFU)

TMO: Dave Sutherland (SRU)

522 : Leinster v Lions preview



LEINSTER : 15 Ciarán Frawley 14 Joshua Kenny 13 Rieko Ioane 12 Jamie Osborne 11 Jimmy O’Brien 10 Sam Prendergast 9 Luke McGrath

1 Ed Byrne 2 John McKee 3 Thomas Clarkson 4 Brian Deeny 5 James Ryan (c) 6 Max Deegan 7 Will Connors 8 James Culhane

16 Dan Sheehan 17 Andrew Porter 18 Rabah Slimani 19 Diarmuid Mangan 20 Scott Penny 21 Fintan Gunne 22 Hugh Cooney 23 Hugo Keenan


LIONS : 15 Quan Horn 14 Erich Cronje 13 Henco van Wyk 12 Richard Kriel 11 Angelo Davids 10 Chris Smith 9 Morne van den Berg

1 SJ Kotze 2 PJ Botha 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye 4 Etienne Oosthuizen 5 Reinhard Nothnagel 6 Siba Mahashe 7 Ruan Venter 8 Francke Horn (c)

16 Franco Marais 17 Eddie Davids 18 Sebastian Lombard 19 Darrien Landsberg 20 Batho Hlekani 21 JC Pretorius 22 Nico Steyn 23 Kelly Mpeku


BKT United Rugby Championship

2025/26  Round 17

Saturday, May 9, 2026

Aviva Stadium

KO 5:30pmpm

Live on : Premier Sports 1, URC.tv


Referee: Hollie Davidson (SRU)

AR1: Keane Davison (IRFU)

AR2: Stuart Gaffikin (IRFU)

TMO: Andrew McMenemy (SRU)


Here is the extra chat on the Leo v Indo situation as promised in the Preview Show…

518 : Benetton v Leinster preview



LEINSTER : 15 Ciarán Frawley 14 Tommy O’Brien 13 Rieko Ioane 12 Jamie Osborne 11 Jimmy O’Brien 10 Harry Byrne 9 Jamison Gibson‑Park  

1 Ed Byrne 2 Dan Sheehan 3 Tadhg Furlong 4 Conor O’Tighearnaigh 5 Brian Deeny 6 Jack Conan 7 Josh van der Flier 8 Caelan Doris (c)  

16 Gus McCarthy 17 Jerry Cahir 18 Thomas Clarkson 19 Alex Soroka 20 Scott Penny 21 Fintan Gunne 22 Sam Prendergast 23 Charlie Tector


BENETTON :15 Matt Gallagher 14 Ignacio Mendy 13 Tommaso Menoncello 12 Malakai Fekitoa 11 Paolo Odogwu 10 Jacob Umaga 9 Alessandro Garbisi  

1 Destiny Aminu 2 Bautista Bernasconi 3 Tiziano Pasquali 4 Giulio Marini 5 Riccardo Favretto 6 Manuel Zuliani 7 Michele Lamaro (c) 8 Lorenzo Cannone  

16 Nicholas Gasperini 17 Ivan Nemer 18 Marcos Gallorini 19 Niccolò Cannone 20 So’otala Fa’aso’o 21 Eli Snyman 22 Andy Uren 23 Leonardo Marin


BKT United Rugby Championship

2025/26  Round 16

Saturday, April 25, 2026

Stadio di Monigo

KO 7:45pm

Live on : Premier Sports 1, URC.tv


Referee: Morne Ferreira (SARU)

AR1: Alberto Favaro (FIR)

AR2: Alex Frasson (FIR)

TMO: Christopher Allison (SARU)

516 : Ulster v Leinster preview


LEINSTER : 15 Hugo Keenan 14 JJ Kenny 13 Garry Ringrose 12 Robbie Henshaw 11 Jimmy O’Brien 10 Sam Prendergast 9 Luke McGrath  

1 Jerry Cahir 2 Rónan Kelleher 3 Tom Clarkson 4 Brian Deeny 5 James Ryan (c) 6 Alex Soroka 7 Scott Penny 8 James Culhane  

16 Gus McCarthy 17 Ed Byrne 18 Rabah Slimani 19 Conor O’Tighearnaigh 20 Max Deegan 21 Will Connors 22 Fintan Gunne 23 Ciarán Frawley


ULSTER :15 Jacob Stockdale 14 Werner Kok 13 James Hume 12 Stuart McCloskey 11 Zac Ward 10 Jack Murphy 9 Nathan Doak  

1 Angus Bell 2 Tom Stewart 3 Tom O’Toole 4 Iain Henderson (c) 5 Cormac Izuchukwu 6 David McCann 7 Sean Reffell 8 Juarno Augustus  

16 James McCormick 17 Sam Crean 18 Scott Wilson 19 Harry Sheridan 20 Bryn Ward 21 Conor McKee 22 Jake Flannery 23 Jude Postlethwaite


BKT United Rugby Championship

2025/26  Round 15

Friday, April 17, 2026

Affidea Stadium

KO 7:45pm

Live on : Premier Sports 1, URC.tv


Referee: Andrew Brace (IRFU)

AR 1: Andrew Cole (IRFU)

AR 2: Tomás O’Sullivan (IRFU)

TMO: Olly Hodges (IRFU)

514 : Leinster v Sale Sharks preview


LEINSTER : 15 Hugo Keenan 14 Tommy O’Brien 13 Garry Ringrose 12 Jamie Osborne 11 Rieko Ioane 10 Harry Byrne 9 Jamison Gibson-Park

1 Alex Usanov 2 Dan Sheehan (c) 3 Tadhg Furlong 4 Joe McCarthy 5 James Ryan 6 Ryan Baird 7 Josh van der Flier 8 Jack Conan

16 Rónan Kelleher 17 Jerry Cahir 18 Thomas Clarkson 19 Max Deegan 20 Scott Penny 21 Luke McGrath 22 Ciarán Frawley 23 Robbie Henshaw


SALE SHARKS : 15 Joe Carpenter 14 Tom Roebuck 13 Rob du Preez 12 Rekeiti Ma’asi-White 11 Tom O’Flaherty 10 George Ford 9 Gus Warr

1 Si McIntyre 2 Ethan Caine 3 Asher Opoku-Fordjour 4 Ernst van Rhyn (c) 5 Ben Bamber 6 Jacques Vermeulen 7 Sam Dugdale 8 Dan du Preez

16 Alfie Longstaff 17 Ralph McEachran 18 James Harper 19 Reuben Logan 20 Jos Gilmore 21 Dom Hanson 22 Marius Louw 23 Alex Wills


Investec Champions Cup

2025/26  Quarterfinal

Saturday, April 11, 2026

Aviva Stadium

KO 5:30pm

Live on : Premier Sports 1


Referee: Pierre Brousset (Fra)

AR1 : Gianluca Gnecchi (Ita)

AR2 : Filippo Russo (Ita)

TMO: Tual Trainini (Fra)

512: Leinster v Edinburgh preview


LEINSTER : 15 Hugo Keenan 14 Tommy O’Brien 13 Rieko Ioane 12 Jamie Osborne 11 Jimmy O’Brien 10 Harry Byrne 9 Jamison Gibson-Park

1 Andrew Porter 2 Dan Sheehan 3 Tadhg Furlong 4 Joe McCarthy 5 Ryan Baird 6 Jack Conan 7 Josh van der Flier 8 Caelan Doris (c)

16 Gus McCarthy 17 Alex Usanov 18 Thomas Clarkson 19 Brian Deeny 20 Max Deegan 21 Luke McGrath 22 Ciarán Frawley 23 Robbie Henshaw


EDINBURGH :15 Piers O’Conor 14 Darcy Graham 13 Matt Currie 12 James Lang 11 Malelili Satala 10 Ross Thompson 9 Charlie Shiel

1 Pierre Schoeman 2 Ewan Ashman 3 D’arcy Rae 4 Marshall Sykes 5 Grant Gilchrist (c) 6 Liam McConnell 7 Dylan Richardson 8 Ben Muncaster

16 Jerry Blyth-Lafferty 17 Boan Venter 18 Paul Hill 19 Glen Young 20 Freddy Douglas 21 Ben Vellacott 22  23 Jack Brown


Investec Champions Cup

2025/26  Round of 16

Sunday, April 5, 2026

Aviva Stadium

KO 5:30pm

Live on : Premier Sports 1


Referee Luke Pearce (Eng) 

AR1 : Hamish Smales (Eng) 

AR2 : Joe James (Eng) 

TMO : Andrew Jackson (Eng) 

Citing Comm : Wejdane Limame (Fra)