Leinster Face URC Final Without Lions Duo as Bulls Threat Looms Large
It’s finally here — the United Rugby Championship final. The mighty Leinster are back in Croke Park, just one win away from claiming their ninth title. But this time, there’s more at stake than silverware. It’s about pride, redemption, and proving they can deliver under pressure. However, they’ll have to do it without two of their British and Irish Lions stalwarts — Hugo Keenan and Tadhg Furlong — who’ve both been ruled out due to calf injuries.
With the first Lions tour game against Argentina just six days away, Andy Farrell and Irish fans everywhere will be watching closely. Furlong hasn’t had much luck this season, featuring just nine times due to persistent injuries. His last appearance was way back on May 3, when Leinster were edged out in the Champions Cup semi-final by Northampton. As for Keenan, he played in the quarter-final win over Scarlets but has since been sidelined, missing out on both the semi-final and now the grand finale.
Despite these key absences, Leinster are still stacked with firepower. Ten Lions take to the field, including James Lowe, Jamison Gibson-Park, Andrew Porter, and captain Jack Conan. Garry Ringrose and Josh van der Flier return to the starting XV, adding even more international quality to the lineup. And off the bench, there’s impact aplenty with RG Snyman, Rónan Kelleher, and Ross Byrne — making his final appearance before heading to Gloucester.
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On the other side of the pitch stand the Bulls, a powerful and battle-hardened outfit from Pretoria. They’ve knocked Leinster out before and come into this final quietly confident, even as underdogs. Coach Jake White has played his media cards perfectly, lavishing praise on Leinster’s budget, squad depth, and star power, while subtly heaping pressure on their shoulders.
The Bulls have made just one change from their semi-final win over the Sharks. Marco van Staden replaces the injured Cameron Hanekom in the back row, and former Ulster man Marcell Coetzee shifts to number eight. They’ll bring physicality, grit, and aerial dominance — areas that unsettled Leinster in past meetings.
But Leinster have been building momentum. Their semi-final performance against Glasgow Warriors was a timely statement. Defensively aggressive and tactically sharp, they looked like a team finally shaking off the hangover of recent Champions Cup heartbreaks. Sam Prendergast will again steer the ship at fly-half, under the watchful eye of Ross Byrne. It’s a big day for the young out-half, who must improve off the tee after leaving 11 points behind last week.
There’s added emotion in the Leinster camp, too. Jordie Barrett plays his final match in blue. And although Cian Healy isn’t named in the matchday squad, there’s a real sense this one’s also about sending him off with one last title in the bag. Thirteen trophies would be quite the legacy.
The script is written. Leinster have a chance to break their trophy drought and silence the doubters. But the Bulls won’t lie down. It’s set to be a battle of set-pieces, contestable kicks, and raw physicality. The scrum duel between Andrew Porter and Wilco Louw alone is worth tuning in for.
With just hours to go before kickoff at a packed Croke Park, the atmosphere is electric. One last hurdle remains — and both teams know this final is about more than just the URC trophy. It’s about making a statement that will echo through the seasons to come.
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