{"id":393540,"date":"2026-04-11T17:11:11","date_gmt":"2026-04-11T17:11:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/393540\/"},"modified":"2026-04-11T17:11:11","modified_gmt":"2026-04-11T17:11:11","slug":"leinster-return-to-the-aviva-seeking-semi-final-spot-the-irish-times","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/393540\/","title":{"rendered":"Leinster return to the Aviva seeking semi-final spot \u2013 The Irish Times"},"content":{"rendered":"

29 MINS: Leinster win a penalty off a Sale scrum.<\/p>\n

Gibson-Park opts for the tap-and-go but Jamie Osborne knocks on for Sale to turn it over. They make no progress so it\u2019s called back for the scrum.<\/p>\n

Play is halted while Tadhg Furlong receives some treatment but he\u2019s soon good to go again.<\/p>\n

Sale win a penalty from the scrum, George Ford kicking to give them an attacking lineout on the 22.<\/p>\n

Leinster 7 Sale 0<\/p>\n

26 MINS: Nice kick pass from Harry Byrne to find Tommy O\u2019Brien who kicks downfield to touch. Leinster feel Sale put a touch on it but referee doesn\u2019t concur.<\/p>\n

The kicking duel goes on despite neither side using it to much effect so far.<\/p>\n

Leinster 7 Sale 0<\/p>\n

22 MINS: Joe McCarthy comes back on, Cahir making way.<\/p>\n

Rare spill from Hugo Keenan but the referee calls a penalty for contact in the air.<\/p>\n

Leinster 7 Sale 0<\/p>\n

19 MINS: Rieko Ioane a bit too eager to replicate his strong showing in last weekend\u2019s win. He\u2019s been iffy in the air and he\u2019s lucky not to draw a penalty for going off his feet at the breakdown.<\/p>\n

Sale with the put-in to the scrum. Leinster manage that one better and the visitors again go to the boot for Hugo Keenan to mop up.<\/p>\n

George Ford does well to keep Keenan\u2019s touch attempt infield.<\/p>\n

Leinster 7 Sale 0<\/p>\n

17 MINS: Sale starting to knit some good phases together but opt to kick to test the Leinster backfield.<\/p>\n

But Hugo Keenan does brilliantly under the high ball to claim George Ford\u2019s kick.<\/p>\n

Leinster 7 Sale 0<\/p>\n

14 MINS: Leinster going through the hands but spill on the 22. Sale send a long kick into the Leinster half which Harry Byrne struggles to deal with.<\/p>\n

Leinster scramble back and Gibson-Park attempts the clearance but he misses touch, giving Sale the throw in to the lineout.<\/p>\n

Leinster 7 Sale 0<\/p>\n

TRY FOR LEINSTER!<\/p>\n

11 MINS: Dan Sheehan bolts over for the opener. He\u2019s fed off the back of a ruck by Jamison Gibson-Park to cross under the posts.<\/p>\n

Harry Byrne converts.<\/p>\n

Leinster 7 Sale 0<\/p>\n

9 MINS: Chance for Tommy O\u2019Brien after another turnover. He makes a break and chips ahead but it doesn\u2019t bounce in his favour and a good scramble from Sale\u2019s Joe Carpenter sees it out.<\/p>\n

Leinster win a penalty from the lineout.<\/p>\n

Joe McCarthy is bleeding so Max Deegan comes in while he gets patched up.<\/p>\n

Leinster 0 Sale 0<\/p>\n

7 MINS: Sale lineout 10-meters out from their own line. They safely take it to ground and send a clearance kick which Ioane challenges for to win back possession for Leinster.<\/p>\n

Leinster 0 Sale 0<\/p>\n

4 MINS: Some early nerves showing as Leinster Rieko Ioane knocks on. Tommy O\u2019Brien had done well to turn it over before Byrne went to the boot. The chase isn\u2019t there though and the All Black knocks forward on the bounce.<\/p>\n

And trouble for Leinster as Alex Usanov goes off injured. Jerry Cahir takes his place in the frontrow.<\/p>\n

Leinster 0 Sale 0<\/p>\n

2 MINS: Huge scrum for Sale to win the penalty despite Leinster having the put-in. Leinster hold firm for a start but then comes the visitors\u2019 shove.<\/p>\n

George Ford sends them up the line.<\/p>\n

Leinster 0 Sale 0<\/p>\n

In the spirit of the Grand National, they\u2019re off.<\/p>\n

Harry Byrne gets us under way at the Aviva.<\/p>\n

Early penalty for the hosts after winning a turnover at the opening ruck.<\/p>\n

Leinster 0 Sale 0<\/p>\n

Rain has set in at the Aviva just in time for kick-off.<\/p>\n

Three minutes out now.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s Nathan Johns\u2019 report on England\u2019s Women\u2019s Six Nations win over Ireland:<\/p>\n

[\u00a0England too strong for Ireland in Women\u2019s Six Nations opener in TwickenhamOpens in new window<\/a>\u00a0]<\/p>\n

\"MatthewMatthew Devine and John Devine dejected after Connacht’s defeat to Montpellier. Photograph: James Crombie\/Inpho <\/p>\n

And earlier in the Challenge Cup, Connacht suffered a heavy defeat away to Montpellier:<\/p>\n

[\u00a0Costly yellows bring Connacht\u2019s European journey to an end in MontpellierOpens in new window<\/a>\u00a0]<\/p>\n

In the last of this weekend\u2019s Champions Cup quarter-finals, French heavyweights Bordeaux B\u00e8gles host Toulouse tomorrow (kick-off 3pm Irish time).<\/p>\n

In this week\u2019s Counter Ruck newsletter, Gerry Thornley acknowledges while it may be a pity that the side\u2019s are meeting early in the knockout stages, it\u2019s still a mouth-watering pairing.<\/p>\n

[\u00a0It\u2019s a pity Bordeaux and Toulouse are meeting so soon, but enjoy it all the sameOpens in new window<\/a>\u00a0]<\/p>\n

You can sign up here<\/a> to receive the Counter Ruck newsletter straight to your inbox every week.<\/p>\n

Thirty minutes to kick-off at the Aviva.<\/p>\n

Last night, Ulster took a big win over Ronan O\u2019Gara\u2019s La Rochelle in Belfast to march on to the semi-finals of the Challenge Cup.<\/p>\n

The Ward brothers, Zac and Bryn, were in flying form, both crossing the line for Richie Murphy\u2019s side, while Nathan Doak had an excellent evening off the tee despite fairly miserable conditions.<\/p>\n

Read Michael Sadlier\u2019s report on the 41-24 win below:<\/p>\n

[\u00a0Ulster blitz La Rochelle in Belfast to reach Challenge Cup semi-finalsOpens in new window<\/a>\u00a0]<\/p>\n

\u201cLeinster have played Premiership teams 81 times in the Champions Cup, overcoming them on 60 occasions, drawing twice and losing 19,\u201d Gerry Thornley writes, taking a look at past encounters with English outfits.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a point worth reading into given their defeat to Northampton Saints in last season\u2019s semi-final.<\/p>\n

GT also has a bit of trivia for us: \u201cOf the 12 Premiership clubs Leinster have faced, the identity of the only one they have failed to beat comes as a surprise.\u201d<\/p>\n

Any guesses?<\/p>\n

Answer: London Irish \u2013 \u201cwho rocked Cheika\u2019s champions in the 2009-10 pool opener at the RDS by winning 12-9 and held Leinster to an 11-11 draw at Twickenham in the pool finale.\u201d<\/p>\n

[\u00a0Leinster used to thrive in English tests but Sale clash spells dangerOpens in new window<\/a>\u00a0]<\/p>\n

In the Women\u2019s Six Nations, England have beaten Ireland at Twickenham in the opening round of the tournament.<\/p>\n

We\u2019ll have a report from Nathan Johns on that shortly.<\/p>\n

\u201cLeinster are looking for a statement performance to continue their upward curve entering the business end of the season, as well as safe passage through to a sixth Champions Cup semi-final in succession,\u201d writes Gerry Thornley.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut they are acutely wary of a big-hitting Sale Sharks with that dangerous concoction of having little to lose and history to make.<\/p>\n

\"Sale'sSale’s Tom O\u2019Flaherty is tackled by Harlequins’ Nick David during last weekend’s Round of 16 game. Photograph: Ben Whitley\/PA <\/p>\n

\u201cCast adrift of the Premiership playoffs in an injury-ravaged season, this is Sale\u2019s biggest game yet of the season as it offers the prize of reaching a first-ever semi-final in the competition.<\/p>\n

\u201cLeinster are also a highly prized scalp.\u201d<\/p>\n

Read Gerry\u2019s preview in full below:<\/p>\n

[\u00a0Leinster wary Sale have little to lose in Champions Cup quarter-finalOpens in new window<\/a>\u00a0]<\/p>\n

And so we\u2019re all in the loop with goings-on further afield, I Am Maximus has just won the 2026 Grand National at Aintree for trainer Willie Mullins and owner JP McManus.<\/p>\n

Leinster will be without captain Caelan Doris after he had a head knock during last weekend\u2019s Round of 16 win over Edinburgh.<\/p>\n

Andrew Porter is also sidelined with a pec injury which saw him depart last Sunday\u2019s game at half-time.<\/p>\n

\"Leinster'sLeinster’s Caelan Doris during last weekend’s game against Edinburgh. Photograph: Bryan Keane\/Inpho <\/p>\n

Dan Sheehan fills in as captain alongside academy prop Alex Usanov in the frontrow.<\/p>\n

\u201cAlex has been great since he\u2019s come into the team. In more recent times, you\u2019re seeing him really kick on,\u201d said head coach Leo Cullen of 23-yer-old Usanov during the week.<\/p>\n

[\u00a0Dan Sheehan to captain Leinster against Sale with Caelan Doris missing outOpens in new window<\/a>\u00a0]<\/p>\n

Afternoon everyone! Welcome along to The Irish Times live blog of the Champions Cup<\/a> quarter-final between Leinster<\/a> and Sale Sharks.<\/p>\n

The game at the Aviva Stadium kicks-off at 5.30pm.<\/p>\n

We\u2019ll be keeping you up to date with all the action, followed by a report from Gerry Thornley, as well as reaction and analysis from himself and Johnny Watterson.<\/p>\n

\"HugoHugo Keenan will start at fullback for Leinster against Sale. Photograph: Will Morgan\/Inpho <\/p>\n

In the meantime, we\u2019ll be running through some news and analysis to have you all set before kick-off.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s how the two sides line out:<\/p>\n

LEINSTER: Hugo Keenan; Tommy O\u2019Brien, Garry Ringrose, Jamie Osborne, Rieko Ioane; Harry Byrne, Jamison Gibson-Park; Alex Usanov, Dan Sheehan (capt), Tadhg Furlong; Joe McCarthy, James Ryan; Ryan Baird, Josh van der Flier, Jack Conan. Replacements: R\u00f3nan Kelleher, Jerry Cahir, Thomas Clarkson, Max Deegan, Scott Penny, Luke McGrath, Ciar\u00e1n Frawley, Robbie Henshaw.<\/p>\n

SALE SHARKS: Joe Carpenter; Tom Roebuck, Rob du Preez, Rekeiti Ma\u2019asi-White, Tom O\u2019Flaherty; George Ford, Gus Warr; Si McIntyre, Ethan Caine, Asher Opoku-Fordjour; Ernst van Rhyn (capt), Ben Bamber; Jacques Vermeulen, Sam Dugdale, Dan du Preez. Replacements: Alfie Longstaff, Ralph McEachran, James Harper, Reuben Logan, Jos Gilmore, Dom Hanson, Marius Louw, Alex Wills.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"29 MINS: Leinster win a penalty off a Sale scrum. Gibson-Park opts for the tap-and-go but Jamie Osborne…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":393541,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[32728,61,60,11287,28577,112],"class_list":{"0":"post-393540","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-sports","8":"tag-champions-cup","9":"tag-ie","10":"tag-ireland","11":"tag-leinster-rugby","12":"tag-leo-cullen","13":"tag-sports"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/393540","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=393540"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/393540\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/393541"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=393540"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=393540"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=393540"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}