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Big calls as Leinster and Munster name teams for Champions Cup semi-finals
One of Leinster’s star players has been left of their 23-man squad for their Champions Cup semi-final with the Scarlets at the Aviva on Saturday.
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James Lowe, who has been a revelation since joining the province with an impressive strike record of 9 tries in just 10 appearances, misses out because only two ‘non-Europeans’ can be included.
Those spots have been given to Jamison Gibson-Park, who is named at scrumhalf alongside captain Johnny Sexton, while Australian Scott Fardy is in the pack.
Robbie Henshaw’s season appeared to be over when he walked off the pitch in a sling and inhaling pain relief during Ireland’s Natwest 6 Nations win over Italy.
But the centre’s remarkable recovery for a dislocated shoulder, which he sustained while scoring a try, is complete with the former Connacht man being named in the centre for Leinster’s Champions Cup semi-final with the Scarlets on Saturday.
He will be alongside Garry Ringrose in a pretty formidable midfield partnership.
LINE UP: Your 23-man #LeinsterRugby squad to face @scarlets_rugby tomorrow at @AVIVAStadium in the #ChampionsCup Semi-Final. #LEIvSCA #JoinTheRoar pic.twitter.com/ZUdLNVhYMY
— Leinster Rugby (@leinsterrugby) April 20, 2018
In the pack, Cian Healy, Seán Cronin and Tadhg Furlong start in the front row with Devin Toner and James Ryan behind them in the second row.
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It’s the same back row that started against Saracens in the quarter-final with Fardy, Dan Leavy and Jordi Murphy selected.
On the bench there is a welcome return from injury for Jack Conan while Jordan Larmour is also back in a European match day squad having missed the quarter-final through injury.
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Meanwhile Munster have also made a big call in putting Simon Zebo on the bench or Sunday’s Champions Cup semi-final against Racing 92 in Bordeaux, as Keith Earls returns from injury.
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Earls, who hasn’t played since Ireland’s victory over England at Twickenham, is selected on the right wing and will make his 150th appearance.
The clash will be a record 13th semi-final for the province and their first trip to the Stade Chaban-Delmas since the famous 31-25 win over Toulouse at the semi-final stage 18 years ago.
There are nine changes to the side that defeated the Cheetahs 19-17 in Bloemfontein last Friday night.
Alex Wootton is on the left wing, with Andrew Conway maintaining his place in the starting XV as he moves to full-back.
Squad Announcement ?| @KEITHEARLS87 returns to be named in the starting XV for his 150th appearance in red ?
The winger is one of 9 changes for #R92vMUN #BordeauxBound??
Team news here >> https://t.co/z2PK4bWJ5G #SUAF pic.twitter.com/Jmiz0b36ox
— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) April 20, 2018
Sammy Arnold and the returning Rory Scannell resume their centre partnership with Ian Keatley and Conor Murray in the half-backs.
Dave Kilcoyne, Niall Scannell and Stephen Archer make up the front row with dependable second-row duo Jean Kleyn and Billy Holland starting in the engine room.
Captain Peter O’Mahony, Jack O’Donoghue and CJ Stander are the back-row forwards.
Comments on RugbyPass
The value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
3 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
40 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
10 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
40 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
3 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
40 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
51 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
40 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
40 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
40 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
40 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to comments