THE Aviva Stadium will hopefully see a decent spectacle today as Bath have named a strong XV to take on Leinster.
The Blues aren’t firing on all cylinders at the moment but do continue to rack up the wins in all competitions.
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Garry Ringrose has been shunted out to the wing amid their ridiculous depth at centre
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Johann van Graan has named notable names like Finn Russell, Quinn Roux and Ross Moloney to start though England star Sam Underhill is out with an ankle injury that’ll keep him out of the Six NationsCredit: Getty
Most recently they continued to show that they’ve wrestled things in their favour in their long-standing rivalry with La Rochelle.
Fresh off defeating Ronan O’Gara’s charges in France they now face the English Premiership leaders.
Here’s everything you need to know about how to catch this one:
What TV channel is Leinster vs Bath on?
Plenty of choice here as it’ll be shown on RTE Two as well as Premier Sports 1.
So for those looking for a free streaming option, you can avail of the RTE Player.
Kick-off today will be at 5.30 pm.
What are the odds?
Leo Cullen’s men are red-hot favourites as they are in most home fixtures across the URC and the Champions Cup.
The bookies have them at 1/8 while the visitors are 6/1.
A draw is priced at 33/1 while the handicap is +/-15 points.
What’s been said in the build-up?
James Ryan has insisted Leinster will not throw the baby out with the Bath-water this evening.
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Ross Molony was one of the province’s main lineout callers before leaving for the English side last summer.
Robbie Henshaw had suggested that the forwards might try to change things up to ensure his insider knowledge does not amount to much.
But Ryan reckons there was not enough time since their last game against La Rochelle on Sunday to try to introduce a list of new calls for this fixture.
Ryan said: “By all accounts he’s loving it over there, he’s really enjoying it.
“He’s someone who has an understanding of what we do here, in terms of lineouts and so on. So we have to be conscious of that.
“You don’t want to change too much, particularly when you are playing on a Sunday and have to go again on a Saturday.
“It’s just getting that balance right between introducing too much but also keeping a bit of continuity because you lose a day.
“We haven’t thrown in a huge amount of change but we’ve tweaked a few little things here and there.”
Johann van Graan may not have enjoyed much success at Munster but he has earned plaudits for how he has revitalised the fortunes of the Somerset outfit.
And Ryan said: “I think they’re a well-balanced side.
“They’re strong up front, they’ve got a good set-piece but also they play a pretty entertaining brand of rugby, they like to throw the ball around.
“Obviously with Finn Russell there, he will back himself to play.
“Guys like Joe Cokanasiga have got good pace as well in terms of their outside backs.
“Yeah, they’re a pretty well- balanced team that like to have a crack, like to play, so I’d say very different to La Rochelle.
“It’s a big challenge again defensively, to be connected and all over it.”
Team news
Cullen has shaken up his team with five changes from the win in France.
Hugo Keenan comes in at full-back for his first start since October.
That sees Jordie Barrett switching to his preferred position of inside centre, next to Henshaw with Garry Ringrose shifted over to the wing.
Keenan is the only change among the backs, with two apiece in the front row and back row.
Rabah Slimani and Andrew Porter are the starting props instead of Cian Healy and Tadhg Furlong.
Jack Conan replaces Caelan Doris at No 8 and captains the side with Max Deegan in for Ryan Baird.
Neither Baird, Furlong nor Dan Sheehan — who was included in the Ireland Six Nations squad this week — are among the replacements but Cullen downplayed any fitness concerns over the trio.
LEINSTER: H Keenan; G Ringrose, R Henshaw, J Barrett, J Osborne; S Prendergast, J Gibson-Park; A Porter, R Kelleher, R Slimani; J McCarthy, J Ryan; M Deegan, J van der Flier, J Conan.
Reps: G McCarthy, C Healy, T Clarkson, RG Snyman. C Doris, L McGrath, R Byrne, T O’Brien.
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Author : rugby-247
Publish date : 2025-01-18 15:42:46
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