Former Munster Rugby player and World Cup winner to make debut for Leinster in URC

October 4, 2024

FORMER Munster Rugby player RG Snyman is set to make his first appearance for his new club Leinster in their round three URC clash against Benetton at Stadio Comunale di Monigo in Treviso at 5:15pm Irish time.

The double World Cup winning South African joined Leinster after his contract ended in Munster at the end of the 23/24 season.

Last season the 28 year-old made just ten appearances (six off the bench) in his four seasons to date with Munster as a consequence of two long-terms ACL injuries.

Synman will start alongside Joe McCarthy in tomorrow’s URC clash, while Caelan Doris will lead the team for the first time since being named captain over the summer.

There are twelve personnel changes to the starting XV from the side that beat Dragons last Friday, with the three men retained from that game all lining up in a new position. Jimmy O’Brien switches to the right wing while Jamie Osborne moves into the centre, with Jack Conan shifting to flanker.

Eight Irish internationals return to the starting line up, including Hugo Keenan, who makes his first appearance in the 15-man game since reaching the quarter-finals of the Olympic Games with the Irish Sevens team.

James Lowe comes in to complete the back three while Garry Ringrose partners Osborne in the centre.

Jamison Gibson-Park comes back into the team for his second appearance of the season as Ciarán Frawley takes the number ten shirt.

Andrew Porter, Rónan Kelleher and Tadhg Furlong complete a front row all making their first appearances of the season, with Joe McCarthy following up his try-scoring performance of the bench last week to take a starting berth alongside debutant Snyman in the second row.

Josh van der Flier is also drafted into the starting team after coming off the bench against Dragons, with Conan and captain Doris completing the pack.

Lee Barron and Michael Milne retain their places on the bench where they are joined by Thomas Clarkson, who started the first two games of the season.

Ryan Baird is set for his first action of the season, with Brian Deeny and Scott Penny completing a 6/2 split on the Leinster bench.

Academy scrum-half Fintan Gunne is set to make his second appearance of the season off the bench as Ross Byrne provides the cover at out-half after scoring a try in last week’s win.

Leinster Rugby (caps in brackets):
15. Hugo Keenan (66)
14. Jimmy O’Brien (83)
13. Garry Ringrose (125)
12. Jamie Osborne (50)
11. James Lowe (81)
10. Ciarán Frawley (89)
9. Jamison Gibson-Park (143)

1. Andrew Porter (122)
2. Rónan Kelleher (65)
3. Tadhg Furlong (147)
4. Joe McCarthy (36)
5. RG Snyman (0)
6. Jack Conan (150)
7. Josh van der Flier (144)
8. Caelan Doris (C) (83)

Replacements:
16. Lee Barron (17)
17. Michael Milne (43)
18. Thomas Clarkson (43)
19. Ryan Baird (71)
20. Brian Deeny (23)
21. Fintan Gunne (4)
22. Ross Byrne (164)
23. Scott Penny (72)

ADVERTISEMENT – CONTINUE READING BELOW