URC Preview: Leinster v Vodacom Bulls

The Aviva Stadium is a fitting venue for what is the standout fixture of the United Rugby Championship’s opening weekend as PRO14 champions Leinster take on the Vodacom Bulls, the Rainbow Cup SA winners.

UNITED RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP – ROUND 1: Saturday, September 25

LEINSTER v VODACOM BULLS, Aviva Stadium, 5.15pm (live on TG4/Premier Sports 1/SuperSport Rugby/URC TV)

Team News: There are nine changes to the Leinster team to host Vodacom Bulls in the opening round of the United Rugby Championship at the Aviva Stadium.

Jonathan Sexton captains the province from out-half, as they return to the scene of their recent 40-21 pre-season victory over a highly-rated Harlequins.

The game is being run at 75% of the Aviva Stadium capacity and tickets for this meeting of the reigning URC champions and the reigning Currie Cup champions are still on sale here.

Hugo Keenan and Rory O’Loughlin join James Lowe in the back-three, while Garry Ringrose and Ciaran Frawley have both fully recovered from shoulder injuries to start.

The experienced Sexton and Luke McGrath team up again at half-back, with the former handed the captaincy reins for the fourth straight year.

Up front, Andrew Porter has recovered from a foot injury and will start in the number 1 jersey for Leinster for the first time since November 2016.

Intriguingly, as Porter reverts to loosehead, Cian Healy is also set for a move across the scrum. He will be the province’s replacement tighthead for the visit of the South African side.

Dan Sheehan, who scored six tries last season, fills the hooker berth and Samoan international Michael Ala’alatoa, who moved north from Crusaders, makes his competitive debut in the number 3 shirt.

Ross Molony and James Ryan will pack down together in the second row, and Josh van der Flier and Caelan Doris make their seasonal bows, alongside Rhys Ruddock in the loose forwards.

Joining Healy on the bench is the fit-again Max Deegan who is gearing up for his first competitive appearance for Leinster since October 2020.  He was a long-term absentee due to an ACL injury.

Speaking about the team’s determination to make a fast start to the revamped competition, full-back Keenan said: “Yeah, 100%. Especially with the opposition we’re playing against this week.

“The Bulls are a serious, serious side, so it’s going to be a serious challenge. It’s a five-game block for the first window.

“With the calibre of teams in it and less games around those international windows, it becomes more important to put yourself in a good position early so you are not chasing points at the end of the year.”

Meanwhile, Bismarck du Plessis will make his Vodacom Bulls debut when Jake White’s men take on Leinster in Dublin.

The 37-year-old hooker is set to add to the already existing stability of the front row, where he will partner with props Mornay Smith and Gerhard Steenekamp.

Ruan Nortje and Walt Steenkamp make up the lock pairing, while the familiar loose trio of captain Marcell Coetzee, Arno Botha – who both return to Ireland after stints with Ulster and Munster respectively – and Elrigh Louw completes the pack.

Johan Goosen returns to the starting XV to pair up with Zak Burger at half-back, while centres Harold Vorster and Lionel Mapoe continue where they left off in South African domestic rugby.

Madosh Tambwe, who notched four tries in the Rainbow Cup last season, Cornal Hendricks and David Kriel complete the make-up of the team as the outside backs.

White, the Bulls director of rugby, commented: “We have had some good momentum in the South African domestic scene, and we hope we can transfer that form to the URC.

“We are in for great challenge in this quality Championship against competitive opposition. To have the opportunity of facing a top side like Leinster will be the perfect opportunity to measure ourselves against one of the best sides in Europe.”

LEINSTER: Hugo Keenan; Rory O’Loughlin, Garry Ringrose, Ciaran Frawley, James Lowe; Jonathan Sexton (capt), Luke McGrath; Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan, Michael Ala’alatoa, Ross Molony, James Ryan, Rhys Ruddock, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris.

Replacements: James Tracy, Ed Byrne, Cian Healy, Ryan Baird, Max Deegan, Jamison Gibson-Park, Ross Byrne, Jamie Osborne.

VODACOM BULLS: David Kriel; Cornal Hendricks, Lionel Mapoe, Harold Vorster, Madosh Tambwe; Johan Goosen, Zak Burger; Gerhard Steenekamp, Bismarck du Plessis, Mornay Smith, Walt Steenkamp, Ruan Nortje, Marcell Coetzee (capt), Arno Botha, Elrigh Louw.

Replacements: Joe van Zyl, Simphiwe Matanzima, Jacques van Rooyen, Janko Swanepoel, Jacques du Plessis, Keagan Johannes, Chris Smith, Stedman Gans.

Referee: Mike Adamson (Scotland)
Assistant Referees: AJ Jacobs (South Africa), Daniel Carson (Ireland)
TMO: Neil Paterson (Scotland)

Pre-Match Quotes: Felipe Contepomi (Leinster) –

It’s a big challenge. They are definitely the team in form in South Africa. They play really good rugby and they are really well coached. I think it’s a big challenge for us.

“They are the new addition to this competition and playing against the reigning Currie Cup champions, that is a great challenge for us.

“The South African teams will add a different dimension in terms of scouting and how to approach a strong physical team like the Bulls. They will add a lot to this competition.”

Jake White (Vodacom Bulls) –

We have a long and tough URC season ahead and it will be important how we manage our squad going forward.

“Equally, it is important we continue building on the winning culture we are creating at the Vodacom Bulls, so it is imperative we utilise our experienced workhorses and our exciting youngsters.

“We are looking forward to a highly competitive opening four fixtures against Leinster, Connacht, Cardiff and Edinburgh – all quality opposition. All participating teams will be looking to start the season on a high note and it is no different for us.”

Top Scorers – 2020/21 Guinness PRO14/Rainbow Cup: Leinster – Points: Harry Byrne 91; Tries: Scott Penny 10; Vodacom Bulls – Points: Morne Steyn 53; Tries: Madosh Tambwe 4

RECENT CHAMPIONSHIP MEETINGS:

N/A

MATCH FACTS:

– Leinster lost just on of their last four fixtures in last season’s Rainbow Cup, going down 15-12 at Glasgow Warriors on June 4

– The Leinstermen have played 23 previous Championship matches at the Aviva Stadium, with their only defeat being 34-23 to Munster in October 2014

– Leinster’s record against South African opponents in the PRO14 was played seven, won six, lost one with the defeat being 38-19 on a visit to Cheetahs in September 2017

– Vodacom Bulls won the Currie Cup for a second successive year on September 11, beating Cell C Sharks in the final at Loftus Versfeld. Their most recent defeat was also to the Sharks in Durban on August 6

– The Bulls reached the Rainbow Cup final last season but were eclipsed in the final by Benetton Rugby

– This is the Bulls’ first ever visit to Ireland, and their first trip to the northern Hemisphere since being defeated in Treviso

– The two sides have never met in a competitive fixture before