BBC Rugby Union: Leinster and Ulster Prepare for Thrilling URC Quarter-Final Showdown
As the Guinness Pro14 Rugby Union Championship (URC) enters its knockout stages, two of Ireland’s premier sides, Leinster and Ulster, are gearing up for a highly anticipated quarter-final clash at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday evening.
Leinster, led by head coach Leo Cullen, will be seeking to avenge their narrow 22-21 defeat against Ulster just a few weeks ago in Belfast. Returning captain James Ryan will lead a formidable Leinster lineup, which includes the likes of Jimmy O’Brien, Jordan Larmour, and James Lowe in the back three. The midfield pairing of Robbie Henshaw and Jamie Osborne will look to orchestrate the attack, while Ross Byrne and Jamison Gibson-Park form the half-back duo.
Ulster, under the guidance of head coach Richie Murphy, have also named a strong team for the quarter-final clash. Ireland hooker Rob Herring will captain the side, with Eric O’Sullivan and Tom O’Toole in the front row. In the second row, Harry Sheridan and Cormac Izuchukwu provide a solid foundation, while Matty Rea, David McCann, and Nick Timoney make up the back row.
The battle for supremacy in the half-backs will feature John Cooney and Billy Burns, while the centre partnership of Stuart McCloskey and Will Addison aims to create opportunities for wingers Jacob Stockdale and Mike Lowry, with Stewart Moore at full-back.
Both teams have named experienced squads, with a mix of established internationals and rising talents, ensuring a thrilling encounter between two of the URC’s powerhouses. As the action unfolds at the Aviva Stadium, rugby enthusiasts can expect a hard-fought and closely contested quarter-final that will showcase the best of bbc rugby union, rugby union gameplay, rugby union scores, and rugby union news.
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