Leinster

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United Rugby Championship: Leinster v Ulster

Date: Saturday 19 April Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin Kick-off: 19:35 BST

Coverage: Live on BBC Sounds, BBC Radio Foyle and the BBC Sport website and app from 19:30; also live text commentary on the BBC Sport website

Ireland second row Joe McCarthy says he believes Ulster "always raise their game" when they face Leinster as the sides prepare to lock horns again at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday evening.

Leinster are heavy favourites for the interprovincial derby and head into the match off the back of a 52-0 win over Glasgow Warriors in the Investec Champions Cup.

Leo Cullen's side lead the United Rugby Championship with 13 wins from 14 matches, while Ulster sit sixth after a recent resurgence in form.

"An interpro like this is great. I always find Ulster really raise their game against us and they will be looking to turn us over.

"We are not short of motivation for this game. We want to put on a performance for the fans and beat Ulster."

Leinster have momentum behind them and Saturday's quarter-final win over Glasgow in the Investec Champions Cup put their aggregate score over their last two-and-a-half European matches to 142-0.

McCarthy says the province's recent defensive record is "class" and Leinster plan to "attack teams with our defence".

"It feels really good that we have a bit of momentum with us, the pleasing thing is the lads are really hungry to get back to training," said the Ireland international.

"We want to rip into that and keep the momentum going. That's the good thing about the group, still hungry to improve.

"There will be no complacency here. We know we will have harder challenges ahead and we will have to be better, teams figure you out a bit more, so you have to be focused on improving."

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United Rugby Championship: Leinster v Ulster

Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin Date: Saturday, 19 April Kick-off: 19:35 BST

Coverage: Live on BBC Sounds, BBC Radio Foyle and BBC Sport website and app from 19:30; also live text commentary on the BBC Sport website

Fit-again Cormac Izuchukwu and Jude Postlethwaite have been named to start for Ulster in Saturday's United Rugby Championship game against Leinster in Dublin.

Ireland forward Izuchukwu has been out since February with an ankle injury while Postlethwaite has been sidelined since March.

Izuchukwu replaces Kieran Treadwell in the second row and Postlethwaite returns to partner Stuart McCloskey in midfield after James Hume was ruled out earlier this week because of a back injury.

The only other change from Ulster's Investec Champions Cup last-16 loss to Bordeaux on 6 April sees Nathan Doak recalled at scrum-half, with John Cooney dropping to the bench.

As expected, Leinster have made a raft of changes after thrashing Glasgow Warriors 52-0 in last week's Champions Cup quarter-finals, with only wing Tommy O'Brien, centre Garry Ringrose and lock Joe McCarthy retained.

Caelan Doris, James Lowe and Jamison Gibson-Park are among those rested by Leinster boss Leo Cullen.

However, Ireland internationals Dan Sheehan, Andrew Porter, Tadhg Furlong and Sam Prendergast, and South Africa's RG Snyman, are all named on the bench.

A three-match winning run in March moved Ulster up to the play-off positions in sixth spot as they defeated Scarlets, Dragons and Stormers, with the latter 38-34 win coming after the Irish province trailed 17-0 early on.

However, it remains a congested table with 13th-placed Connacht only four points behind Ulster.

Leinster have an eight-point cushion over nearest challengers Glasgow Warriors at the top of the URC table going into the weekend's action, having won 13 of their 14 fixtures to date.

Line-ups

Leinster: Osborne; T O'Brien, Ringrose, Henshaw, J O'Brien; Frawley, McGrath (capt); Boyle, G McCarthy, Clarkson; J McCarthy, Mangan; Soroka, Penny, Culhane.

Replacements: Sheehan, Porter, Furlong, Snyman, Deegan, Gunne, Prendergast, Turner.

Ulster: Lowry; Ward, Postlethwaite, McCloskey, Stockdale; Murphy, Doak; Warwick, Herring, O'Toole; O'Connor (capt), Izuchukwu; McNabney, Timoney, McCann.

Replacements: Stewart, Reid, Wilson, Dalton, Treadwell, Cooney, Moore, Matty Rea.

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United Rugby Championship: Leinster v Ulster

Date: Saturday 19 April Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin Kick-off: 19:35 BST

Coverage: Live on BBC Sounds, BBC Radio Foyle and the BBC Sport website and app from 19:30; also live text commentary on the BBC Sport website

Leinster senior coach Jacques Nienaber says he is expecting a bit of "spice" in Saturday's United Rugby Championship game with Ulster at the Aviva Stadium.

The URC leaders head into the match in top form after defeating Glasgow Warriors 52-0 in the quarter-finals of the Investec Champions Cup on Saturday.

After a difficult start to the season, Ulster have now won their last three URC matches in a row and have jumped up to sixth place in the table.

"I expect it to be a very hard and physical battle," said Nienaber, who was speaking before the Blues announced New Zealand centre Rieko Ioane would Leinster next season.

"It's an interprovincial and there is a lot of pride and a lot at stake for the players.

"The two teams know each other and their strengths and weaknesses quite well so I expect it to be tight."

Leinster are set to be without injured Ireland trio James Ryan, Jack Conan and Ryan Baird for the game.

Leo Cullen's side have lost once in 20 matches this season in the URC and in Europe.

Their form has been so strong, the aggregate score of their last three European matches is a remarkable 142-0.

When asked if the games weren't competitive enough for Leinster, Nienaber said "it's a tough one to answer".

"The reality is when the opponent is in front of us, we can't change it, it is what it is," said the World Cup winning coach.

"For me making a comment that we aren't getting tested, what is that going to help? It is what it is and that is our mindset. We deal with it as best we can.

"Glasgow and Harlequins were tough, and we gave them a lot of respect as we will give to Ulster because they are quality sides and if you get it wrong they can put you away."

• 142 unanswered points - who can stop Leinster in Europe?

Andy Gray
BBC Sport NI Journalist

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New Zealand centre Rieko Ioane will United Rugby Championship and Investec Champions Cup frontrunners Leinster for the 2025-26 season.

Ioane is contracted to the Blues in New Zealand until 2027 but will take a "sabbatical" to the Irish province on a seven-month contract after the November internationals.

The 28-year-old, who can also play on the wing, made his New Zealand debut in 2016 and has scored 37 tries in 81 caps for the All Blacks.

"It's an exciting opportunity to play in Ireland for an iconic team, grow my game and experience something with my family," Ioane posted on his Instagram.

"Will be back refreshed and ready to rock in the second half of 2026."

Ioane is the latest All Black to make the move to Leinster after Jordie Barrett ed the Dublin-based side for the current season.

Barrett has made a big impact at Leinster and was named player of the match as Leinster hammered Glasgow Warriors last weekend to reach the Champions Cup semi-finals.

"Rieko is a world-class, 81-cap All Black who has been operating at the very top level of the international game and Super Rugby for many seasons," said head coach Leo Cullen.

"He is an exciting, versatile outside back who will bring pace, rugby skills and experience to Leinster.

"That experience will add massive value to the group here and our younger players especially will learn so much from seeing how Rieko prepares, trains and plays."

The Blues confirmed the deal just one day after the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) announced the four Irish provinces will have to contribute 40% to Ireland's national player contracts from August 2026 - as opposed to 30%.

Leinster have by far the biggest number of nationally contracted players and will be the most financially affected by the decision.

Ioane has been an unpopular figure in Irish rugby after a high-profile spat with Leinster and Ireland legend Johnny Sexton.

In his autobiography, Sexton alleged that Ioane ignited a row between the pair by making comments after the final whistle of Ireland's 2023 World Cup exit to the All Blacks, which was the last game of Sexton's career.

When New Zealand beat Ireland in November, Ioane posted 'Put that in the book' on Instagram in reference to Sexton's comments.

• Ioane's move a reminder of Leinster's unrivalled pull

• 142 unanswered points - who can stop Leinster in Europe?

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Centre James Hume will miss Ulster's United Rugby Championship contest against leaders Leinster in Dublin on Saturday (19:35 BST) because of a back injury.

Hume sustained the injury in the Investec Champions Cup last-16 defeat by Bordeaux nine days ago.

He s Iain Henderson (hamstring), Jake Flannery (knee), Ethan McIlroy (knee), Rob Baloucoune (hamstring), Ben Carson (neck), Ben Moxham (knee), Eric O'Sullivan (knee) and Sean Reffell (calf) on Ulster's injury list.

On the plus side for Richie Murphy's squad, Cormac Izuchukwu (ankle), Werner Kok (hamstring) and Jude Postlethwaite have all recovered from recent injuries and will be available for the Aviva Stadium game.

A three-match winning run in March moved Ulster up to the play-off positions in sixth spot as they defeated Scarlets, Dragons and Stormers, with the latter 38-34 win coming after the Irish province trailed 17-0 early on.

However, it remains a congested table with 13th-placed Connacht only four points behind Ulster.

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Jordie Barrett's inclusion and Tadhg Furlong's starting role are among six Leinster changes for Friday's Investec Champions Cup quarter-final against Glasgow at Aviva Stadium (20:00 BST).

All Blacks star Barrett takes over from Robbie Henshaw at centre with Furlong drafted into a totally changed front row from last weekend's 62-0 win over Harlequins.

Barrett was a replacement in the thumping last-16 victory over the English club.

Henshaw will make his 100th Leinster appearance if he is introduced from the bench on Friday night while the other backs change has Timmy O'Brien handed his first European start as he takes over from Jamie Osborne.

Furlong, who came on as a replacement against Harlequins in his first Leinster appearance since October following a lengthy injury spell, will start in the front row alongside Cian Healy and Ronan Kelleher with Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan and Rabah Slimani dropping to the bench.

Max Deegan is named in the back row in place of Caelan Doris as Jack Conan skippers Leo Cullen's side.

Leinster's second row is unchanged with Joe McCarthy again partnered by South Africa World Cup winner RG Snyman.

Lock Diarmuid Mangan will make his European debut if he is introduced from the bench.

Glasgow make three changes from the win over Leicester which included Scotland prop Zander Fagerson missing out with concussion as he is replaced by Sam Talakai.

Alex Samuel is preferred to JP du Preez in the second row while the suspension of Henco Venter leads to a back row reshuffle as Rory Darge comes into the team at openside flanker, with Sione Vailanu switching to number eight.

Max Williamson could make his long-awaited return from injury off the bench for the Warriors.

Leinster: Keenan; T O'Brien, Ringrose, Barrett, Lowe; Prendergast, Gibson-Park; Healy, Kelleher, Furlong; McCarthy, RG Snyman; Deegan, Van der Flier, Conan (capt).

Replacements: Sheehan, Porter, Slimani, Mangan, Doris, McGrath, R Byrne, Henshaw.

Glasgow Warriors: Rowe, Dobie, McDowall, Jordan, Steyn, Hastings, Horne; McBeth, Matthews, Talakai, Brown, Samuel, M Fagerson, Darge, Vailanu.

Replacements: Stewart, Bhatti, Schickerling, Du Preez, Williamson, Ferrie, Afshar, Cancelliere.

Matt Gault
BBC Sport NI at Croke Park

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Josh van der Flier was quick to credit his team-mates after being named player of the match in Leinster's 62-0 trouncing of Harlequins in Saturday's Investec Champions Cup last-16 game at Croke Park.

Back row Van der Flier was one of several Ireland internationals playing for the first time since the Six Nations.

And the 2022 world player of the year began the last run of games before Andy Farrell's British and Irish Lions squad announcement on 8 May in superb fashion with a try and some big carries as the Irish province overwhelmed their Premiership opponents.

irably uninterested in soaking up the acclaim, though, Van der Flier insists he was able to flourish only because of the work done by those in blue around him.

"It was nice to get the ball a few times," said the 31-year-old.

"It's the way some games go, some games the ball comes your way a lot, some days it doesn't. I think there was a huge amount of work from the forwards and the backs found the width.

"I managed to find myself in places where I had one-on-ones or a bit of space, so I think it's off the back of some good teamwork that some individuals are able to get some space. It was good to get the ball a bit but there was some good attacking work from all of the lads."

Leinster scored 10 tries to set up a home quarter-final against either Glasgow or Leicester next weekend and Van der Flier says the manner of Saturday's win will give the four-time champions "great confidence".

"Mentally, there's always a threat of forgetting how hard we had to work during the week to get there and forgetting the first 10, 20 minutes when we had to work unbelievably hard to keep them out," he added.

"You always have to balance it mentally, take the confidence in a positive way and make sure you're switched on and ready because some games can be like that but some are tight and can go the other way.

"We'll be ready for anything start again on Monday with a big week's prep."

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Ireland hooker Ronan Kelleher will be assessed for selection ahead of Leinster's Investec Champions Cup last-16 tie with Harlequins at Croke Park.

Kelleher, 27, has been sidelined with a neck injury and will step up his rehabilitation ahead of the last-16 tie.

Leinster qualified for the knockout stages as the seed with four victories from the Pool stages.

They were pipped to the top spot by Bordeaux, who collected more bonus points and face Ulster on Sunday.

Harlequins were seeded 15th of the 16 teams to qualify for the knockout stages with two victories from their four matches.

Leinster back row Alex Soroka will be assessed as he works through return to play protocols after a concussion, but Will Connors is out after injuring his shoulder in Saturday's narrow win over the Sharks in South Africa.

Jordan Larmour, Paddy McCarthy, Rob Russell and James Culhane are still unavailable for selection.

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On Monday, the Six Nations published the written reasons for Ireland centre Garry Ringrose's three-match suspension.

Ringrose was handed a three-game ban following his red card against Wales for a high tackle on Ben Thomas.

Ringrose's ban came after the mid-range entry point of a six week/match suspension was reduced by 50% taking into his guilty plea and previous disciplinary record.

He will miss Saturday's Six Nations match against . A further game will be taken off should Ringrose complete World Rugby's Coaching Intervention Programme.

Significantly, Ringrose's suspension included Leinster's United Rugby Championship win over Cardiff on Saturday, so if he completes the coaching intervention programme, he will be available for Ireland's final Six Nations game against Italy on 15 March.

The Leinster game being included in the ban has caused some confusion. Earlier in the tournament, fly-half Romain Ntamack was handed a two-game ban following his red card against Wales.

Ntamack's suspension, however, covered 's Six Nations fixtures against England and Italy, but not Toulouse's Top 14 encounter with Clermont, which took place during a Six Nations fallow week (like Leinster's game with Cardiff).

Over the weekend, French Rugby Federation (FFR) vice-president Jean-Marc Lhermet said they are seeking an explanation around the differences between Ringrose and Ntamack's cases.

The written report on Ringrose's online disciplinary hearing explains that Ireland interim head coach Simon Easterby said the decision had already been taken to release Ringrose back to Leinster for the Cardiff game.

That was, according to Easterby, because Ireland have "three world-class centres" in their squad (Ringrose, Bundee Aki and Robbie Henshaw) and thus Ringrose's game time in the Six Nations this year has been "limited".

Interestingly, part of the reason for releasing Ringrose back to Leinster was "to allow him the chance to play in a different position in order that Ireland can consider using [Ringrose] on the wing as well as in the centre".

The written report confirms the independent disciplinary committee was shown an e-mail sent by the Irish Rugby Football Union [IRFU] to Leinster on 24 February confirming Ringrose was included in a list of Ireland players released back to the province.

Ireland beat Wales on 22 February, so the e-mail was sent in between Ringrose being sent off and his disciplinary hearing on 27 February.

Considering all of the above, the committee was "satisfied" that Ringrose "had been expected to play at least some part" in Leinster's Cardiff game.

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Ireland prop Cian Healy says he is "thankful" for the 10 extra years in his career after announcing his retirement from the sport.

Healy, who is Ireland's record cap holder, will end his international career after the Six Nations and call time on Leinster at the end of the season.

The 37-year-old said he was "grateful" that he was still playing after a neck injury almost ended his career in 2015.

He lost movement in his right hand after a damaged disk in his neck, but he recovered and overtook Brian O'Driscoll as Ireland's most-capped player against Australia in November.

"After that I had a different approach to rugby and how I spent my time and how much effort I put into rugby," said Healy.

"When that's nearly been taken away from you, you get a little bit more thankful for those opportunities.

"You manage to enjoy it a little bit more and I've managed to squeeze 10 years of enjoying it a bit more.

"It's all been good since then. I've been up and down and all around the pecking order, but it's still better than not doing it."

'Still here to do a job'

Healy said his decision to retire "was as good as done" in December and he confirmed his plans to Leinster before heading into Ireland camp for the Six Nations.

Ireland lead the Six Nations with three wins from as many matches and face in their penultimate match on 2 March.

"Just because I've decided to retire doesn't mean I'm starting to think back about things or about the past," added Healy.

"I'm here to do a job, and ideally that job is two more wins and lift a trophy."

Healy has not ruled out playing for his boyhood club Clontarf next season when he retires from professional rugby but says his main aim "is to take a break for a while".

"I've been on a schedule from when I've been 14 so I don't know what it's like not to be on one," he said.

"I'll go on a decent holiday and get into the workshop and get crafting things, using my hands and using my mind. Change it up a little bit."