There are two more regular-season rounds to go with everything on the line for several teams:
THIS IS THE season that simply never lets up. The improvement of the URC has made it so. The wider interest in rugby has ebbed and flowed as always, peaking for Ireland’s Grand Slam, but there have been exceptionally few dull moments for the diehards.
Despite those defeats, last season’s trip to South Africa was extremely beneficial for many of Leinster’s younger players and Leo Cullen is hoping for the same this time around.Their 30-man squad includes four uncapped players. Ireland U20s out-half Sam Prendergast, scrum-half Fintan Gunne, back row Liam Molony, and second row Conor O’Tighearnaigh are all set for their senior debuts if called upon in South Africa.
So while there isn’t a huge amount of jeopardy for Leinster in that sense, this tour should be of major value. They’ll be playing at altitude in temperatures of over 20°C against athletic and large South African sides who have so much on the line.Munster Graham Rowntree’s men are also in South Africa for their final two regular-season games and these fixtures against the Stormers and Sharks are of the utmost importance.
The warm, humid weather conditions are at least now vividly familiar and Munster’s self-inflicted wounds can be avoided with more accuracy and energy. Then Round 18 sees Ulster hosting an Edinburgh team whose season is essentially already over in competitive terms. Languishing down in 14th in the URC table, the Scots won’t have much to play for and, again, McFarland’s side should be aiming for the bonus point.
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