Head coach Leo Cullen has named his Leinster Rugby team to take on Toulouse in the last four of the Heineken Champions Cup at Aviva Stadium.
22. Ross Byrne (124) 5. James Ryan (54) 4. Ross Molony (135) 11. James Lowe (63) 14. Jimmy O’Brien (49) Frawley is the one change on the bench with last week’s European debutant Joe McCarthy holding onto his spot.
The two most successful teams in European rugby face off this weekend with Leinster facing Toulouse in the Heineken Champions Cup semifinal.
Cyril Baille returns to the front row replacing Rodrigue Neti who drops to the replacement bench. A lot of them guys would have represented France and be Grand Slam champions as well... Advertisement There's no doubt that these are two of the most star studded squads in world rugby at the moment. Advertisement Both sides have been in terrific form of late and with 22 players that featured in Ireland's defeat to France in the Six Nations likely to play, this will be a contest you won't want to miss.
Leinster are braced for a test against the very best in Europe when they tackle Heineken Champions Cup semi-final opponents Toulouse on Saturday.
2. Julien Marchand (c) 23. Ciarán Frawley (52) 22. Ross Byrne (124) 21. Luke McGrath (171) 20. Rhys Ruddock (207) 19. Joe McCarthy (6) 5. James Ryan (54) 4. Ross Molony (135) 2. Rónan Kelleher (34) 11. James Lowe (63) 14. Jimmy O’Brien (49) 15. Hugo Keenan (42)
The sides meet tomorrow in what is sure to be an enthralling battle in the semi-final of the Heineken Champions Cup.
23. Ciarán Frawley (52) 22. Ross Byrne (124) 5. James Ryan (54) 4. Ross Molony (135) 11. James Lowe (63) 12. Robbie Henshaw (64)
Leinster boss Leo Cullen has named an unchanged side to take on Toulouse in tomorrow's Champions Cup semi-final at the Aviva Stadium.
Leinster have brought their breakdown skills to a different level." "Look at the quality of Leinster's breakdown work... Follow Leinster v Toulouse (Saturday, 3pm) in the Champions Cup semi-final with our live blog on RTÉ.ie/Sport and the RTÉ News app or listen on RTÉ Radio 1
Free rugby tips, best bets and analysis for Leinster v Toulouse in the European Champions Cup semi-finals at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.
Place a single £10 Sportsbook bet and get money back as a free bet if it loses. Paddy's Rewards Club: Get a £10 free bet when you place 5x bets of £10+. T&Cs apply 18+ begambleaware.org However, this is a Leinster side that means business and they should have the energy levels and strength-in-depth to turn the screw in the latter stages en route to another European final.
The short side returns to Planet Rugby as we study the major talking points ahead of this weekend's action in the European Champions Cup.
The Scottish sides succumbed to Lyon and Wasps respectively, the two teams which coincidently clash in the first semi-final. For the sake of the European game, let’s hope this is just cyclical and not the norm for the next decade. There is obviously plenty of talent in England but, as they battle the salary cap reduction, will they realistically fight on two fronts? While we voice our concerns over the make-up of the Champions Cup semi-finals, those issues could equally be applied to Europe’s second-tier. Their back-row is particularly exceptional in this regard and that may be the difference, especially if it becomes a slugfest. They could even set up a repeat of the previous season’s showpiece event, with them on separate sides of the draw. While it is them this season, next year could equally see Montpellier, Bordeaux-Begles or Lyon in the semi-finals. Every time the Parisians received the restart, they looked to move the ball wide and it often worked. It is never good for the Champions Cup when one team or country dominates and certainly France are currently enjoying outstanding success. Usually a team has ‘home country’ advantage but, of course, that is not the case here, while the two sides are separated by just four points in the Top 14. They are playing very well, as evidenced by their triumph over domestic leaders Montpellier, and may have just have a slight edge in a game like this one. Quite frankly, Leinster have looked frighteningly good this season and were far too strong for the Premiership pacesetters, Leicester Tigers, in last weekend’s quarter-final.
Free rugby tips, best bets and analysis for Leinster v Toulouse in the European Champions Cup semi-finals at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.
Place a single £10 Sportsbook bet and get money back as a free bet if it loses. Paddy's Rewards Club: Get a £10 free bet when you place 5x bets of £10+. T&Cs apply 18+ begambleaware.org However, this is a Leinster side that means business and they should have the energy levels and strength-in-depth to turn the screw in the latter stages en route to another European final.
Ugo Mola, Toulouse's coach, said: 'We play a team that totally masters European games,' while Racing 92 face La Rochelle in the other Champions Cup ...
Meanwhile, in the Challenge Cup, Saracens are away to Toulon in their semi-final while Wasps travel to Lyon. The Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson said: “You can see the pedigree of the last four teams in it. We know this is a chance of getting silverware which would make the season a great success. The match is a repeat of the 2019 semi-final, also played at the Aviva Stadium, with Leinster running out 30-12 winners.
Free rugby tips, best bets and analysis for Leinster v Toulouse in the European Champions Cup semi-finals at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.
Place a single £10 Sportsbook bet and get money back as a free bet if it loses. Paddy's Rewards Club: Get a £10 free bet when you place 5x bets of £10+. T&Cs apply 18+ begambleaware.org However, this is a Leinster side that means business and they should have the energy levels and strength-in-depth to turn the screw in the latter stages en route to another European final.
The official digital matchday programme for Leinster Rugby v Toulouse at Aviva Stadium is available to read now.
Leinster take on Toulouse at the Aviva Stadium for a place in the final of the Heineken Champions Cup.
However, they've had points on each of their 22 entries - the first as Antoine Dupont ran in for his try, and the second a Ramos penalty. 38 min - Leinster 23-10 Toulouse 43 min - Leinster 23-10 Toulouse Leinster 23-10 Toulouse 46 min - Leinster 23-10 Toulouse 47 min - Leinster 23-10 Toulouse
A place in the Heineken Champions Cup final is on the line as Leinster welcome Toulouse to the Aviva Stadium this afternoon.
Leinster 13-7 Toulouse Leinster have the advantage and when it comes to nothing, Sexton opts for the easy three points in front of the posts. Toulouse get penalised at the breakdown, giving Leinster a penalty that is converted by Sexton. A one point game. It's very much against the run of play as Keenan makes a great line break to put Leinster on the front foot. Leinster try!!! Clinical stuff from Leinster who have been very impressive in the opening quarter. This time Toulouse are penalised at the scrum, giving Leinster the opportunity to bring play up to halfway. A concern for Leinster as Ramos converts the penalty. Toulouse are penalised for being off their feet at the breakdown and their dissent to the referee sees them concede another ten metres. A rared missed opportunity for Leinster as they are penalised at the breakdown when in a strong attacking position. Caelan Doris penalised for going in at the side when Leinster have pushed towards the Toulouse 22. Apart from an intercept try from Dupont, Toulouse haven't offered a lot in attack, whereas Leinster have been deadly in possession.
There's plenty of good reading to keep you occupied before kick-off, starting with Garry Doyle's match preview, which you can find here.
Leinster break forward thanks to some great work by Tadhg Furlong and Hugo Keenan, but Jamison Gibson-Park loses possession in the Toulouse 22 and Antoine Dupont goes the length of the field to touch down under the posts. Journal Media does not control and is not responsible for the content of external websites. The Leinster captain then plays in Josh van der Flier and the flanker does well to finish under pressure. Thomas Ramos coverts and Toulouse have the lead. The French side look tired after last weekend’s extra-time exploits and have yet to really click into gear, with their discipline a real issue in the opening 40. James Lowe was the man to touch the ball down after some good work off the back of a lineout, with Johnny Sexton feeding Lowe with a lovely inside pass. James Ryan makes a big carry down the middle, and then Toulouse just can’t live with the speed of Leinster’s play. Sexton converts and Leinster lead by 13. They are held up just short under the posts, and Sexton eventually spins the ball out to Lowe for an easy finish. We’ll be back shortly with all the second-half action. What a start to this match! Leinster are just toying with Toulouse now.
Catch the European Champions Cup semi-final action from Dublin wherever you are in the world with our Leinster v Toulouse live stream guide.
Leinster v Toulouse live stream: How to watch from elsewhere Leinster v Toulouse live stream: How to watch from Australia Leinster v Toulouse live stream: How to watch from the USA Leinster v Toulouse live stream: How to watch from France That’s because BT Sport has a contract-free monthly pass that allows you to get instant access to all four of their sport channels for just £25. Plus, ExpressVPN comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
With three French teams and Leinster remaining in the European Champions Cup, the neutrals outside of France will for no other reason than “vive la difference” ...
A fourth semi-final meeting now and after 12 years in the making, it is once more Euro glam rugby. But as the game unfolded in France, Leinster could not halt Toulouse progressing to their fourth European win. Penalties from Thomas Ramos and replacement Romain Ntamack either side of the try kept Toulouse alive. Many of the familiar faces that played that semi-final will again line out this afternoon. Joe Schmidt was to arrive later that year with prop Cian Healy the only remaining Leinster player from that day. Just as in football a Manchester City and Liverpool European final might have pleased their British and Irish fans, but not many outside of those groups.
With France supplying three of the four semi-finalists in this season's Heineken Champions Cup it was no surprise to hear Finn Russell extolling the virtues ...
Leo Cullen’s side host holders Toulouse at the Aviva on Saturday (3pm) and Leinster are aiming to match their opponents’ record of five European titles by reclaiming a trophy they last won in 2018. They keep the ball alive and play after contact,” Leinster centre Garry Ringrose told www.epcrugby.com. “In the Premiership just now, there’s no relegation.