Leinster rugby have recalled Rónan Kelleher, Josh van der Flier and Jamison Gibson-Park for Saturday’s URC semi-final against the DHL Stormers, with sports ireland readers tracking one of the biggest fixtures in the provincial season. Leo Cullen has made three changes to the side that demolished the Lions 59-10, with the Aviva Stadium set for a 5.30pm kick-off in a high-stakes Dublin showdown.
Kelleher returns at hooker after missing the quarter-final and replaces Dan Sheehan, who is dealing with shoulder and knee injuries. Van der Flier comes in for Scott Penny at openside, while Gibson-Park starts at scrum-half ahead of Luke McGrath. Those changes give Leinster added experience and tempo as they chase another final appearance in one of the standout ireland rugby ties of the weekend.
sports ireland focus as Leinster sharpen for Stormers test
The selection keeps a settled core from last week’s dominant win. Thomas Clarkson and Andrew Porter complete the front row, while Joe McCarthy has recovered from a knock to partner James Ryan in the second row. In the back row, captain Caelan Doris is joined by Van der Flier and Max Deegan, giving Leinster a physical, mobile unit for what Ryan has described as a major set-piece battle.
There is only one back-line change, but it is a significant one. Gibson-Park links up with Sam Prendergast, whose 19-point display against the Lions underlined his growing authority. Outside them, Rieko Ioane and Jamie Osborne continue in midfield, with James Lowe, Hugo Keenan and Jimmy O’Brien forming the back three. Lowe enters the semi-final in record-breaking form after moving to 71 tries in 100 games for Leinster.
- Kick-off: Saturday, 5.30pm
- Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin
- Key returnees: Kelleher, Van der Flier, Gibson-Park
- Not involved: Tadhg Furlong, Dan Sheehan
Leinster have won all seven of their previous URC home meetings with South African opposition, but the 2022 champion Stormers arrive with enough power and pace to test that record. For sports ireland followers seeking ireland sports news and ireland sports updates, the key watch is whether Leinster’s set-piece and game management can stand up under knockout pressure. If they do, another URC final should be within reach. Image Courtesy: Irish Rugby
