Rugby

Leo Cullen rings the changes with Leinster facing another storm in South Africa

A young, inexperienced 23 will look to bounce back from a resounding defeat to the Lions last time out in Johannesburg

Gus McCarthy is set to make his Leinster debut against the Stormers. Photograph: Ben Brady/Inpho

Johnny Watterson
Fri Apr 26 2024 - 16:48
URC: Stormers v Leinster, DHL Stadium, 6.05pm Irish time, live on TG4 and Premier Sport

Their first match in October away to Glasgow ended in defeat, but Leinster have not lost two games in a row so far this season in the URC. Leo Cullen would like to keep it that way after watching the Lions run in 44 points last weekend.

With one eye on next week’s Croke Park Champions Cup semi-final against Northampton and with the Irish frontline players in Dublin, Cullen’s reaction has been to make no fewer than nine changes this week.

Gus McCarthy is in line to make his debut and both Charlie Tector, who hasn’t featured this season, and Martin Moloney, who has not played since October 2022, are poised to make their season bows. Hooker McCarthy captained the Ireland U-20s that won the Grand Slam last year and reached the World Championship final in South Africa.

Former Springbok skipper and Stormers player Corne Krige has been speaking about the need for his side to bounce back this week. The Stormers also lost last weekend to Ospreys and like Leinster are seeking redemption of sorts. They are currently sixth in the table with Leinster still first place.

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“There was quite a bit of a backlash on that,” said Krige of last weekend’s defeat. “I don’t think we underestimated them, but on the day we really didn’t play well. We didn’t look after the ball and there were lots of mistakes and knock-ons.

“I think Leinster will be hurting after that big loss against the Lions. That really was a big surprise for me even though they didn’t send their first team out there.”

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Most of Leinster’s experience is in the backrow with Max Deegan, captain Scott Penny and Rhys Ruddock. Elsewhere it is sparse and largely in the form of overseas players Michael Ala’alatoa, Jason Jenkins and Charlie Ngati. Outhalf Sam Prendergast and Cormac Foley are the halfback pairing and play against one of the Stormers most dangerous players at 10 in Springbok Manie Libbok.

Stormers: Warrick Gelant; Suleiman Hartzenberg, Dan du Plessis, Damian Willemse, Ben Loader; Manie Libbok, Herschel Jantjies; Brok Harris, Joseph Dweba, Neethling Fouche; Salmaan Moerat (capt), Ruben van Heerden; Marcel Theunissen, Ben-Jason Dixon, Evan Roos.

Replacements : Andre-Hugo Venter, Kwenzo Blose, Frans Malherbe, Connor Evans, Willie Engelbrecht, Hacjivah Dayimani, Stefan Ungerer, Wandisile Simelane

Leinster: Henry McErlean; Liam Turner, Ben Brownlee, Charlie Ngatai, Rob Russell; Sam Prendergast, Cormac Foley; Michael Milne, John McKee, Michael Ala’alatoa; Brian Deeny, Jason Jenkins; Rhys Ruddock, Scott Penny (capt), Max Deegan.

Replacements: Gus McCarthy, Ed Byrne, Thomas Clarkson, Conor O’Tighearnaigh, Diarmuid Mangan, Fintan Gunne, Charlie Tector, Martin Moloney

Referee: Andrea Piardi (FIR)

Johnny Watterson

Johnny Watterson

Johnny Watterson is a sports writer with The Irish Times

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