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Jul 27 2024
Squad Reinforcements and Returning Stars
After a hectic off‑season, Leinster have announced a string of additions that could tip the balance in their favor against the Stormers. Hooker Iain Henderson returns from a two‑month shoulder rehab, while centre Garry Ringrose finally completes his loan spell in Japan and rejoins the backline. On the wing, veteran Hugo Keenan signs a short‑term extension, giving the coaching staff a reliable finishing option.
Perhaps the biggest talking point is the surprise inclusion of former Irish captain, Luke McNab, who has switched codes and now brings his physicality to the back row. Alongside him, the veteran lock James Ryan is slated to start, providing both line‑out stability and ball‑carrying heft. The midfield also sees a fresh face: 22‑year‑old Caolin Blade, who impressed in the academy, is tipped to partner Ringrose.
- Iain Henderson – returning from injury, adds experience at the front row.
- Garry Ringrose – back from Japan, bolsters the centre partnership.
- Luke McNab – former captain, now a dynamic flanker.
- Caolin Blade – promising academy graduate, ready for senior minutes.
Strategic Outlook and Tactical Tweaks
Coach Leo Cullen says the game plan will revolve around a high‑tempo, ball‑retention style that forces the Stormers onto the defensive. The newly added back‑row will be deployed to disrupt South African set‑pieces, while the scrum‑half, Jamison Gibson‑Park, is expected to quicken the ruck speed to exploit gaps in the Stormers' defensive line.
Defensively, Leinster intend to tighten the outside channels, a known weakness of the Stormers in the previous season. The coaching staff has been drilling a drift defense in training, aimed at squeezing the Stormers' powerful wings, Damian de Allende and Le Roux Roets, into the inside midfield where they can be tackled more comfortably.
In terms of set‑piece, the presence of Ryan and McNab should give Leinster a stronger line‑out platform, countering the Stormers' aerial dominance. The kicker, Ross Byrne, will likely take on a more aggressive territorial game, aiming to pin the opposition deep and force turnovers.
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