Brian O’Driscoll has recommended Leinster make three changes to the XV from the squad selected for this Saturday’s Investec Champions Cup final semi-final win over Northampton in Toulouse, London. This includes World Rugby 2022 benching Josh van der Flier. Player of the Year.
Province of Ireland beat Saints 20-17 in Croke Park on May 4 and with Leo Cullen set to confirm his final squad for the Cup at midday on Friday, Ireland legend O’Driscoll said: rugby pass The names he would like to see are included on the team sheet.
Hugo Keenan, James Ryan and Will Connors returned to action in last Saturday’s United Rugby Championship loss to Ulster following a recent setback from various injuries and O’Driscoll says they should all now be named in the XV to face Toulouse in the Champions final at Tottenham. I believe it.
Keenan has suffered a knee problem since the last-16 win over Leicester in early April. Ryan suffered a “freak” injury on the training pitch with Ireland ahead of the Guinness Six Nations loss to England in early March, rupturing his biceps. Meanwhile, Connors took precautions by withdrawing late from this month’s league win over the Ospreys.
O’Driscoll believes Leinster will be best positioned to face their French rivals with Keenan replacing Ciaran Frawley at full-back, Ryan replacing Ross Molony at lock and Connors getting the openside nod ahead of van der Flier after the semi-final. suggested that it would be. against Northampton
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When asked if Ryan should start from the engine room, O’Driscoll explained: “Yes, he is leaving. He does it because of what he does. You saw how important it was to lose him against La Rochelle in last year’s final.
“I think there is comfort that comes from people who have been together for a long time. He may not have the physicality, but he has a bit of a nasty edge, so I think if he’s healthy and the engine is good enough, they’ll definitely want him for 55, 60 minutes as a starter. .”
So specify your ideal XV. “The front row picks themselves (Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan and Tadhg Furlong). Here’s the second row (Ryan and Joe McCarthy). I think Will Connors might look like a 7 because of the bigger physical pack. He had a really good result against La Rochelle (in the quarterfinals).
“I know Josh won’t like it, but the luxury of getting him on with 35 minutes left, playing the game he can bring, I think the chop game will be important for Leinster.
“I watched the semi-final again last year (vs. Toulouse) and (Jack) Conan played so well, but to leave (Kaylen) Doris out of 8 as 6 doesn’t seem to suit his game, so I think Doris will play 8 and ( Ryan) Baird will play 6 games.
“The halfbacks pick themselves (Jamison Gibson-Park and Ross Byrne). The centers will be (Jamie) Osborne and (Robbie) Henshaw if (Garry) Ringrose is not fit.
“And I think (Jordan) Larmour and (James) Rowe should stay on the wing and Hugo Keenan at full-back. “I don’t know if Jimmy O’Brien has done enough since coming back from injury to replace Jordan.”
Leinster beat Toulouse 41-22 in the semi-final in Dublin last year, 12 months after beating them 40-17 in the other semi-final at the same Aviva Stadium.
- Watch Leinster vs Toulouse in the Investec Champions Cup final. It airs live exclusively on TNT Sports 1 and discovery+ on Saturday starting at 1:30 p.m. For more information visit tntsports.com
