Match Preview | Leinster - Glasgow Warriors

The Irish
province are in the hunt for a fourth consecutive title in the competition, and
boast a formidable home record having lost just once in Dublin in the last two and
a half seasons.

Aside from
that sole defeat at the hands of Connacht, though, it was the Warriors who were
the last to conquer the RDS in the thrilling 39-24 win in April 2019.

With a blend
of youth and experience set to take to the field in a Glasgow shirt on Sunday
evening, the stage is set for another intriguing Guinness PRO14 clash.

Here’s how
the hosts are looking ahead of the match:

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— Glasgow Warriors (@GlasgowWarriors) February 12, 2021

Leinster
form guide

Leo Cullen’s
side currently sit on top of Conference A, having claimed 11 wins from a
possible 12 in the competition so far in 2020/21.

Only defeat
at the hands of a Jack Carty-inspired Connacht in their first match of 2021
prevents the province from being able to boast a perfect record, as they look
to defend their crown.

The RDS
outfit has shown that it’s capable of winning in every style this season; whether
in a 63-8 victory over Zebre at home or grinding out a 13-10 win away to Munster,
Cullen’s men have had the answers on almost every occasion.

A ruthlessly
efficient 35-29 win away to the Dragons last time out saw them record their
eleventh bonus-point of the campaign, handing them a vital five-point cushion
over Ulster at the top of the table.

Summer
departures

Experienced
Irish internationals headlined the departing cohort after Leinster’s 2020 title
win, as the retiring Fergus McFadden and the Australia-bound Rob Kearney said
farewell to the province.

Brian Byrne was
another to depart the RDS as he made the switch to Bristol Bears, whilst Australian
international Joe Tomane joined Japanese side Ricoh Black Rams.

Three
highly-rated Irish prospects were also amongst those to leave the province, with
Jack Aungier and Oisin Dowling moving to Connacht and Ronan Salanoa joining
Munster.

New arrivals

As has
become a near-tradition for Leinster, the summer saw Cullen’s side promote from
within rather than recruit from elsewhere.

Ryan Baird
and Harry Byrne headlined the graduates from the Leinster academy, with the
former called into the Ireland squad ahead of the Autumn Nations Cup.

Pacy centre
Tommy O’Brien was another to earn a promotion to the senior squad, alongside
second-rower and Dublin University student Jack Dunne.

Ones to
watch

Many Irish
pundits are tipping Harry Byrne to follow his brother Ross’ path to
international honours before too long, and with good reason; the fly-half’s displays
in Leinster colours have seen him challenge both his brother and Johnny Sexton
for the number 10 shirt, even when the trio are all fit and available.

In an area in
which Leinster continue to display impressive depth, Scott Penny is a player
who continues to catch the eye. Comfortable across the back-row, the
21-year-old is likely to be the next back-rower from the province to progress
to the green of Ireland.

Now 34, Sean
Cronin forms part of a vastly experienced spine to the Leinster machine. The
hooker is approaching 200 appearances for the defending champions, with his
nous around the field and nose for the try-line making him a valuable asset to Cullen’s
side.

Previous
Encounters

It’s
Leinster who hold the upper hand in the most recent meetings between the two
sides, having earned a 32-19 victory at Scotstoun earlier this season.

Despite
tries from George Horne, D’arcy Rae and Thomas Gordon, five tries from Leinster
saw the champions ultimately emerge victorious in Glasgow’s first-ever Monday
night clash.

The men in
blue were in dominant form on Glasgow’s last visit to the RDS, as hat-tricks
for Ryan Baird and Dave Kearney gave Leinster a 55-19 win in February 2020.

Tommy
Seymour, Kyle Steyn and Alex Allan were on the scoresheet for the Warriors, in
what was ultimately the club’s last game before the COVID-19-enforced
suspension of the 2019/20 season.

Match
officials

Frank Murphy
will be in charge of Sunday evening’s clash at the RDS, with the IRFU official
taking charge of his 41^st match in the Guinness PRO14.

Chris Busby
and Robert O’Sullivan will be on the touchlines as his assistants, with Television
Match Official Olly Hodges completing the officiating team.