ZEBRE TO FEEL FORCE OF LEINSTER’S RENEWED DRIVE
FOR the first time since 2017, Leinster arrive into a new season without a title to defend.
It would have been a long summer for the province, especially after that galling final fortnight when their European and URC dreams ambitions went up in smoke with losses to La Rochelle and the Bulls.
No doubt, Leo Cullen and his entire operation will be focused on a renewed assault on this league. And Leinster will be red-hot favourites to right a few wrongs. For one thing, their squad depth is unparalleled. Caelan Doris, Josh van der Flier and Jack Conan are resting after their history-making exploits against the All Blacks in the summer, but Cullen can still field a backrow featuring Rhys Ruddock, Scott Penny and Max Deegan, with Will Connors – back from a lengthy injury – on the bench.
After missing the New Zealand tour, Rónan Kelleher is back at hooker and is joined by Ed Byrne and Michael Ala’alatoa in the frontrow. The ever-dependable Ross Molony packs down in the second row alongside bulky new signing Jason Jenkins.
Luke McGrath and Ross Byrne continue to be held in high regard at their native province. Neither has been waiting by the phone to hear from Andy Farrell in recent times, but they continue to deliver for Leinster. Versatile Kiwi Charlie Ngatai has been a shrewd acquisition from Lyon and will look to guide a talented but raw set of outside backs, which includes Jamie Osborne, Rob Russell and Max O’Reilly. Interestingly, Ciaran Frawley is named among the replacements.
The Skerries native had a big month in New Zealand, confirming his status as a live contender to back up Johnny Sexton at No10. Cullen and Stuart Lancaster have plenty of time for the Byrne brothers, however.
Frawley has played most of his rugby in the centre recently, but a more permanent move to outhalf would seemingly suit his and the national cause better. This is going to be interesting. Frawley
is off to South Africa on the Emerging Ireland tour and is highly likely to feature in the looming autumn international series as well. Again, it’s a welcome selection headache for the management. It’s the reason why Leinster will be leading the charge in the URC again this term.
This group will be desperate to land silverware as it could be the final season for some big characters. As things stand, the futures of Cullen, Lancaster and Sexton remain unclear. There will be no shortage of motivation. The likes of Zebre – who provide the opposition in Parma today – will feel the full force of it. ZEBRE: R Kriel; P Bruno, E Cronje, E Lucchin, S Gesi; T Eden, C Cook; P Buonfiglio, J du Toit, M Nocera; D Sisi (capt), L Krumov; L Andreani, MJ Pelser, T Fox-Matamua. Reps: L Bigi, J Pitinari, M Hasa, J Furno, G Volpi, A Fusco, F Smith, J Trulla. LEINSTER: M O’Reilly; R Russell, J Osborne, C Ngatai, D Kearney; R Byrne, L McGrath; E Byrne, R Kelleher, M Ala’alatoa; R Molony, J Jenkins; R Ruddock (capt), S Penny, M Deegan. Reps: J McKee, M Milne, V Abdaladze, B Deeny, A Soroka, N McCarthy, C Frawley, W Connors. REFEREE: Ben Blain (Scotland) TV: Kick-off at 1pm, Stadio Lanfranchi. LIVE on RTE 2 from 12.30pm.