Leinster has made 14 changes ahead of their match, with Cian Healy being the sole player retained from their last URC game. Northamton will be without George Furbank, who is out due to an arm injury—a significant blow for them. Trevor Davison is stepping into the front row, making the only adjustment to Phil Dowson’s lineup following their recent victory over Bristol.
Leinster: Keenan; O’Brien, Ringrose, Henshaw, Lowe; Prendergast, Gibson-Park; Healy, Sheehan, Furlong, Snyman, McCarthy, Deegan, Van der Flier, Doris (captain). Bench: Kelleher, Porter, Slimani, Baird, Conan, McGrath, R. Byrne, Barrett.
Northampton Saints: Ramm; Freeman, Dingwall (captain), Hutchinson, Litchfield; Smith, Mitchell; Iyogun, Langdon, Davison, Mayanavanua, Coles, Kemeny, Pollock, Augustus. Bench: Walker, West, Millar-Mills, Lockett, Munga, Scott-Young, James, Seabrook.
Referee: Pierre Brousset (France).
We’re seeing a repeat matchup. For the second consecutive year, the Champions Cup features a Leinster vs. Northampton semi-final, once again in Ireland. Last year, a hat-trick from James Lowe helped Leinster secure a narrow victory, despite a late surge from the Saints that brought them within just three points.
Nothampton’s performance in the league has been quite inconsistent. They sit at seventh in the Premiership, grappling with eight losses in their 15 games. The absence of key players Courtney Lawes and Lewis Ludlam, who are now in France, was expected, but their struggles have been more pronounced than anyone anticipated.
On the other side, Leinster is leading the United Rugby Championship and is the favorite to advance to yet another final, likely against a French side. They’ve faced tough competition from La Rochelle in previous years and lost to Toulouse last season. A matchup against Bordeaux or Toulouse awaits today’s winner in Cardiff later this month. Is it déjà vu? For today’s semi-final, it certainly feels that way.
Kick-off: 5:30 PM.
