Leinster v Lions URC Quarter-Closing Preview: Staff Information, Stats And Betting Angle
James Lowe is ready to make his one centesimal Leinster look as Leo Cullen names his facet for Saturday evening’s BKT United Rugby Championship quarter-final in opposition to the Constancy SecureDrive Lions on the Aviva Stadium.
The sport kicks off at 8pm and might be proven dwell on TG4 and Premier Sports activities 1.
Caelan Doris captains Leinster from quantity eight, with six adjustments to the matchday squad from the Investec Champions Cup ultimate. Lowe returns to the facet after equalling Shane Horgan’s all-time Leinster try-scoring file of 69 tries in his final outing.
Massive Speaking Level
Wow.
Ciarán Frawley being omitted of the 23 is a really unusual name except there may be an harm concern concerned. Somebody at Leinster might find yourself regretting not giving him a correct run at 10 during the last two years.
The Lions needs to be much more assured after seeing this Leinster beginning staff. Leinster are nonetheless filled with high quality, however with Sam Prendergast and Luke McGrath beginning at half-back, and Frawley not concerned, there may be positively a betting angle right here.
The handicap is Lions +15, and that appears enormous based mostly on this staff information.
Current URC Type
Leinster Final Six URC Matches
Glasgow Warriors 38-17 Leinster
Leinster 36-19 Scarlets
Ulster 21-29 Leinster
Benetton 29-26 Leinster
Leinster 31-7 Lions
Leinster 68-14 Ospreys
Lions Final Six URC Matches
Lions 54-17 Edinburgh
Lions 42-26 Dragons
Lions 54-12 Glasgow Warriors
Lions 33-21 Connacht
Leinster 31-7 Lions
Munster 24-17 Lions
The Lions have misplaced their final two matches in Eire, however earlier than that they’d put collectively a severely spectacular run, together with huge dwelling wins over Glasgow, Connacht, Edinburgh and Dragons.
Head-To-Head
25 February 2022: Leinster 21-13 Lions
15 April 2023: Lions 36-39 Leinster
20 April 2024: Lions 44-12 Leinster
26 October 2024: Leinster 24-6 Lions
09 Might 2026: Leinster 31-7 Lions
Leinster have gained 4 of the 5 URC conferences between the edges, with the Lions’ solely win coming in Johannesburg in April 2024.
Key Match Stats
That is Leinster’s eleventh successive look within the URC play-offs.
Leinster have gained all 5 URC quarter-finals they’ve performed, with all 5 going down in Dublin.
Leinster’s solely defeat of their final 5 URC matches was away to Benetton.
The Lions have reached the URC play-offs for the primary time.
The Lions’ final eight URC matches have all been gained by the house staff on the day.
The Lions’ solely victory in ten visits to Eire was a 38-14 win over Connacht in March 2024.
The one away victory on this fixture was Leinster’s 39-36 win in Johannesburg in April 2023.
Prime Scorers This Season
Leinster
Prime strive scorer: Joshua Kenny – 9 tries
Scott Penny – 5 tries
Tommy O’Brien – 5 tries
Prime factors scorer: Harry Byrne – 67 factors
Sam Prendergast – 56 factors
Joshua Kenny – 45 factors
Ciarán Frawley – 27 factors
Lions
Prime strive scorer: Ruan Venter – 7 tries
Henco van Wyk – 6 tries
Francke Horn – 5 tries
Sibabalwe Mahashe – 5 tries
Prime factors scorer: Chris Smith – 154 factors
Ruan Venter – 35 factors
Henco van Wyk – 30 factors
Leinster Rugby Beginning XV
1. A. Porter
2. D. Sheehan
3. T. Furlong
4. J. McCarthy
5. J. Ryan
6. M. Deegan
7. S. Penny
8. C. Doris (C)
9. L. McGrath
10. S. Prendergast
11. J. Lowe
12. J. Osborne
13. R. Ioane
14. J. O’Brien
15. H. Keenan
Replacements
16. G. McCarthy
17. A. Usanov
18. T. Clarkson
19. D. Mangan
20. J. van der Flier
21. J. Gibson-Park
22. H. Byrne
23. R. Henshaw
Match Particulars
Fixture: Leinster Rugby v Constancy SecureDrive Lions
Competitors: BKT United Rugby Championship Quarter-Closing
Venue: Aviva Stadium
Kick-off: Saturday, 8pm
TV: TG4 and Premier Sports activities 1
Referee: Sam Grove-White
Verdict
Leinster ought to nonetheless win this sport. Their pack is stacked, Doris captains the facet, Lowe returns for a landmark one centesimal look, and the bench accommodates severe worldwide high quality in Josh van der Flier, Jamison Gibson-Park, Harry Byrne and Robbie Henshaw.
Nonetheless, this doesn’t really feel like a full-throttle Leinster choice. Frawley lacking out is the eyebrow-raiser, and the Lions have sufficient energy and attacking menace to remain inside vary if they begin nicely.
Prediction: Leinster to win, however Lions +15 seems a giant handicap.
LiveScores Now Obtainable at IrishScores.com
LiveScores Now Obtainable at IrishScores.com
