Pro14 Rugby – Leinster v Dragons – Preview and Team News – Kick off Friday 8.15. Match live on TG4.
It was only September 12th that Leinster were lifting their third Pro 14 title in a row, but on Friday, just 20 days after that success over Ulster, Leo Cullen’s charges will set out on this season’s Pro 14 journey at home to Dragons.
🔥 𝓑𝓐𝓒𝓚 𝓘𝓝 𝓐𝓒𝓣𝓘𝓞𝓝 🔥
The new season kicks off this Friday against @dragonsrugby at the RDS Arena 💪🔵
A great excuse to look back at this @SeanCronin2 try 😍#LEIvDRA#GuinnessPRO14 pic.twitter.com/rZU65bb5CZ
— Leinster Rugby (@leinsterrugby) September 28, 2020
Ryan Excited
Dragons Director of Rugby Dean Ryan has welcomed the “excitement” of starting the Welsh team’s season off at the home of the champions.
“You’re either daunted going to Leinster or really excited about challenging yourselves,” Ryan said
“We’ve tried to sit in that second camp.”
Leinster for their part will aim to put the devastation of their Champions Cup defeat to Saracens in the rear view mirror as they begin their new season at an empty R.D.S.
Furlong and Leavy to miss out
The wait to see Tadhg Furlong on a rugby pitch once more will go on for a while yet.
Leinster Head Coach Leo Cullen has declared that the tight-head prop who has not been seen since rugby’s restart in August due to a back injury, picked up a calf problem in the build up to the Saracens game and will be unavailable for “a number of weeks” as a result.
Another Leinster star whose return to the fold has been pushed back is open-side Dan Leavy. Leavy misses out as he’s training load is being managed this week after returning from a knee injury.
15. Hugo Keenan (18)
14. Jordan Larmour (50)
13. Garry Ringrose (76)
12. Ciarán Frawley (26)
11. James Lowe (47)
10. Johnny Sexton (167) CAPTAIN
9. Jamison Gibson-Park (93)
1. Ed Byrne (57)
2. Rónan Kelleher (15)
3. Michael Bent (140)
4. Scott Fardy (61)
5. James Ryan (39)
6. Rhys Ruddock (173)
16. Seán Cronin (185)
17. Cian Healy (220)
18. Andrew Porter (66)
19. Ryan Baird (10)
20. Max Deegan (64)
21. Luke McGrath (127)
Referee: Andrea Piardi (FIR)
The game kicks off at 8.15pm on Friday and is live on Eir Sport and TG4.