+34
While RDS return is a bonus for the province, chasing down the Champions Cup looks a tall order
Leinster celebrate with the URC trophy after beating Bulls in the grand final at Croke Park in June. Photograph: Ben Brady/Inphotitle last season with a hat-trick of home wins over South African sides and their display against the Bulls in the final was arguably their best of the season.
That was after a first-half blitz by Bordeaux-Bègles in Bilbao, which had decided the Champions Cup final by half-time. So, any season that includes a trophy cannot be considered a failure? Right? Retaining their URC title was unquestionably a bigger achievement than any of their nine triumphs in that competition’s previous iterations.
Leinster also reached a sixth Champions Cup final under Leo Cullen. Yet after doing what was necessary to make their way to another final, Leinster were emphatically beaten by half-time in the decider. Maybe that was a heat and humidity-affected one-off. But maybe the scars have left baggage and an uber-demanding defensive game compounds the energy required for their multi-phase attack.
Perhaps partly because of the so-called ‘Leinster tax’, imposed by David Humphreys, as well as the much-reduced attendances for last season’s knock-out matches, Leinster’s outgoings also significantly outnumber their incomings. In addition to the western exodus to renew acquaintances with Stuart Lancaster – much to Cullen’s evident irritation – there has been a notable loss of stardust in Rieko Ioane and James Lowe. RG Snyman also begins the season sidelined, as does Caelan Doris.
Luke McGrath’s departure after 13 seasons leaves a clear void. Exuberant Leinster make winning return to the RDS against Zebre They need one or more of Conor O’Tighearnaigh, Josh Ericson and Caspar Gabriel to energise their season. Big impacts from Fintan Gunne and Joey Carbery would also help. Ioane wasn’t as lauded as Jordie Barrett but his impact was significant.
Wrongly blamed for a defensive system error in Bilbao, it’s hard to envisage how Leinster would have coped without Ioane, for he started 16 of his 18 appearances after arriving in December, while scoring six tries and providing several assists. Leinster will look to Joey Carbery, who has signed from Bordeaux-Bègles, to supply some big moments this season.
Photograph: Ben McShane/SportsfileThe strain of being bulk suppliers to Ireland and the Lions, and indeed the other provinces, is perhaps taking its toll. The return to the RDS and the new Laya Arena is timely, not least as the grand unveiling in round three against Cardiff is a week before their opening European trip to Clermont Auvergne, who will have played six games by then.ahead of the Nations Championship hiatus, after which they regroup away to the Ospreys before Glasgow , Munster , Ulster , Pau and Leicester .
And the Six Nations will invariably leave a mark on Leinster. There are encouraging auguries though. Cullen captained Leinster to their 2011 Heineken Cup, and in the last two pre-World Cup seasons Leinster reached the finals in 2019 and 2023, while winning the Pro14 in 2019 before losing a home semi-final to Munster three years ago. That was one of only three defeats in 28 matches that season.
Alas, one of the others was against La Rochelle in the Champions Cup final at the Aviva Stadium. Joey Carbery , Peter Dooley , Stephen Smyth , Conor O’Tighearnaigh , Josh Kenny Rieko Ioane , Luke McGrath , Jerry Cahir , Will Connors , Ciarán Frawley , James Lowe , Rabah Slimani , John McKee Leinster return to the refurbished Laya Arena after two years away.
Photograph: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile Today sees a soft opening for the RDS in the shape of a preseason friendly against Zebre in front of about 8,000. The return to the renamed Laya Arena after the €59 million completion of the new stand and an absence of over two years cannot come soon enough. Beginning with a full house of 20,500 for the visit of Cardiff on October 10th, it should be a boost for fans and squad.
Aviva Stadium fatigue had contributed to the sharp decline in attendances, with last season’s five home knock-out ties in the Champions Cup and the URC drawing a total of 103,724 spectators, compared with 214,397 for the equivalent five fixtures in 2023-24. Leinster have ‘earned’ 22 home knock-out fixtures in the last four seasons compared to Munster’s two ties, and maybe their fans have become spoilt.
Yet even allowing for last season’s far-less-glamorous ties, that is still an alarming decline in attendances. Cullen is entering his 12th and final season, with Felipe Contepomi the strong front-runner to succeed him for what will be a challenging first, post-World Cup campaign. Cullen’s legacy should be secure after leading Leinster to 13 finals, while also remaining bulk suppliers to Ireland. The seven trophies accumulated include winning their last six finals in the Pro 14/URC.
Yet he, the organisation and fan base would dearly love to add one more Champions Cup triumph in his tenure. For all the narrative around Jacques Nienaber’s defence, it’s worth noting that Leinster again scored the most tries in the 18-game URC regular season and added another 16 in three knock-out games. Fintan Gunne will be hoping to make a breakthrough at Leinster in 2026-27. Photograph: Morgan Treacy/Inpho, Cormac Foley and Oliver Coffey.
Although Gunne is 23, he only has 33 appearances to his name. All but seven of those have been off the bench, and only once has he played in the Champions Cup. He has a very complete all-round game and is strong and brave, so if he is to have a breakthrough season, this should be it. In theory, this coming season should be a doddle by comparison to the last one.
While some of their 18 Irish summer tourists will most likely miss the opener against the Lions, they will be free to play against the Sharks in their opening trek to South Africa. But Ireland will have another four Nations Championship matches in November as well as the Six Nations. Although recent history suggests otherwise, the proximity of the World Cup could impact Leinster’s customary end-of-season hunt for silverware.
Finishing first and winning a third URC title in a row would be a serious achievement. While they could again go deep into the Champions Cup, a fifth star still looks elusive as beating Bordeaux-Bègles and/or Toulouse will be a tall challenge, especially as the final will effectively be another away tie in Lyon on May 22nd.
Seán O’Brien handed 10-week suspension by IRFU after verbally abusing official at Women’s AIL matchKnee surgery patient wakes up to €3,000 bill after change made during procedure‘World’s largest’ betting website closed to Irish customersShamrock Rovers’ Michael Noonan set for January move to Nottingham Forest
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News: You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Leinster coach Cullen inspires team with Mayo's triumphLeinster Rugby's head coach, Leo Cullen, drew inspiration from Mayo's 2023 All-Ireland football victory to motivate his team ahead of the new season. After a disappointing European loss last year, Cullen reminded his players that persistence and resilience are key, even in the face of repeated setbacks.
Read more »
Preseason friendly: Leinster 56 Zebre 12Leinster showcased their strength in a commanding 56-12 victory over Zebre in a preseason friendly at the RDS, with rising stars like Josh Ericson and Fintan Gunne making significant impacts. The match served as a successful dry-run for the upcoming URC season and the official opening of the new Anglesea Road stand.
Read more »
Leinster ease to victory in pre-season friendly at Laya ArenaProvince returned to the newly refurbished RDS for a test event.
Read more »
Leo Cullen: ‘We won’t be taking bullshit off anybody this year. Nobody. None of our players, nobody’Leinster coach’s mood in keeping with 56-12 win over Zebre in final preseason friendly
Read more »