DAN SHEEHAN admits Leinster are ‘grateful’ to still have the URC to fight for after missing out on Champions Cup glory.

The Blues were beaten 31-22 by Toulouse in the London showpiece last month.

It was the third European final in a row that Leo Cullen’s men have lost after losing successive deciders to La Rochelle in 2022 and 2023.

But they have a chance to make amends in the URC — starting with Saturday’s quarter-final showdown against provincial rivals Ulster at the Aviva Stadium.

And Sheehan said: “We’re lucky enough to have the chance that there is still something to play for.

“Hopefully within three weeks of success but we need to make sure we take it one week at a time.

“We make sure that we still enjoy coming in every day and being around the lads.

“We’re grateful for the group we do have and it would be a shame not to enjoy the next few weeks with them.”

While most of those who started against Toulouse in the Euro final were rested for the 33-7 URC win over Connacht, Sheehan was drafted in as a second-half substitute.

And the hooker bagged the home team’s fourth try of the game at the RDS to bring his scoring tally for the season up to eight.

Instead of waiting until this weekend to return from the crushing disappointment of the Toulouse game, the 25-year-old was more than happy to do so in Ballsbridge.

Sheehan revealed: “I really enjoyed the game against Connacht. I got a bit of frustration out.

“It gave me something to focus on straight away, which was nice. I think it’s good. We took a lot of learnings from the Toulouse game.

“I think it would have been easy to brush over and forget about it.

“We did a good debrief on it over the last week. We turned our focus on to Connacht and stripped it back to basics.

“We are now looking towards this week, Ulster are the team to beat.”

HEALTHY COMPETITION

While Leinster chief Cullen will be going up against Ulster counterpart and fellow Wicklow man Richie Murphy on Saturday, the front-row battle provides the most intrigue.

After making his senior international bow against Japan in November 2021, Sheehan found himself competing for the No 2 jersey with Blues pal Rónan Kelleher and Ulster’s Rob Herring.

The latter surpassed Andrew Trimble and Darren Cave earlier this season to become the most-capped player in the northern province’s history.

And with the highly-rated Tom Stewart also competing for a starting berth, Sheehan (right) is expecting to be put to the pin of his collar this weekend.

The Leinster man added: “I met Rob the first time I went into the camp and he has been hugely helpful for me.

“He gives everything, he gives his time, his advice. He is a brilliant set-piece operator. Over the years in the line-out and the scrum, I’ve learned a lot from him.

“He is in good form at the moment with Tom Stewart. That’s a good pair there so that will be an interesting battle.

BAD BOY

Meanwhile, Toulouse lock Richie Arnold was handed a three-week ban for his red card in the Champions Cup final.

But it clears the way for him to contest in the closing games of the French Top 14 season.

Arnold was sent off by referee Matthew Carley in the tenth minute of extra-time against Leinster for a dangerous clear-out on Ireland prop Cian Healy.

The independent disciplinary committee agreed that Arnold “made contact with Healy’s head in a dangerous manner”.

But they decided the offence was at the mid-range of World Rugby’s sanctions, with four weeks selected as the appropriate entry point.

Arnold is free to play on June 24 but if he completes a World Rugby Coaching Intervention, he will be free to play on June 17.

THEY MAY HAVE missed out on a significant prize in London just under a fortnight ago, but Dan Sheehan has acknowledged the Leinster squad are grateful to still be in a position to challenge for silverware in the closing weeks of their 2023/24 campaign.

Having previously featured in their agonising defeats to La Rochelle in 2022 and 2023 – the first as a replacement and the second as a starter – Ireland international hooker Sheehan tasted further final heartbreak in the Champions Cup at the hands of Toulouse at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on 25 May.

Leo Cullen’s men have also suffered back-to-back semi-final reversals in the United Rugby Championship over the past two seasons, but with a last-eight encounter against Ulster in the same competition on the agenda at the Aviva Stadium this Saturday, Sheehan and his provincial colleagues are aiming for a positive ending to the current term.

“We’ve talked about it as a squad. We’re lucky enough to have the chance that there is still something to play for. Hopefully with three weeks of success, but we need to make sure we take it one week at a time,” Sheehan remarked at a Leinster media briefing on Monday.

“Make sure we still enjoy coming in every day and being around the lads. We’re grateful for the group we do have and it would be a shame not to enjoy the next few weeks with them.”

Whereas the majority of those who started the Champions Cup final were afforded a rest, Sheehan was one of just three players from the first 15 that faced Toulouse – Jamie Osborne and Ryan Baird being the others – to see game time in Leinster’s convincing bonus point triumph over Connacht at the RDS last Friday.

Replacing Ronan Kelleher on 53 minutes, Sheehan bagged the home team’s fourth try of the game to bring his scoring tally for the season up to eight. Instead of waiting until this weekend to return from the crushing disappointment of the Toulouse game, the 25-year-old was more than happy to do so in Ballsbridge.

“I really enjoyed the game against Connacht. Got a bit of frustration out. Gave me something to focus on straight away, which was nice. I think it’s good. We took a lot of learnings from last week [the Toulouse game].

“I think it would have been easy to brush over that and forget about that. We did a good debrief on it the last week, turned our focus on to Connacht and sort of just stripped it back to basics. Now looking towards this week, Ulster are the team to beat.”

While Leinster are favourites to overcome their interprovincial rivals at Irish Rugby HQ – and set up a semi-final showdown with the winners of the Saturday afternoon clash between The Bulls and Benetton at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria – Ulster certainly aren’t coming up to Dublin just to make up the numbers.

With the now-departed Dan McFarland still at the helm, they defeated Leinster at the RDS on New Year’s Day. Ulster had a new head coach in the shape of Richie Murphy when the sides met again in the URC at Kingspan Stadium the week before the Champions Cup final, but a late penalty from John Cooney ensured the Wicklow native picked off the scalp of his former employers.

Murphy going up against his fellow county man Leo Cullen is one interesting element to Saturday’s game and the front-row battle is also set to provide considerable intrigue.

Since making his senior international debut against Japan in November 2021, Sheehan has found himself competing for the number two jersey along with his Leinster colleague Kelleher and Ulster’s Rob Herring. The latter surpassed Andrew Trimble and Darren Cave earlier this season to become the most-capped player in the northern province’s history and with the highly-rated Tom Stewart also vying for a starting berth, Sheehan is expecting to be put to the pin of his collar this weekend.

“I met Rob the first time I went into camp. He has been hugely helpful for me in camp. He gives everything, he gives his time, his advice. He is a brilliant set-piece operator. Over the years in the line-out and the scrum, I’ve learned a lot from him,” Sheehan added.

“Obviously he is in good form at the moment, himself and Tom Stewart. That’s a good pair there so that will be an interesting battle at the weekend.”

Daire Walsh

WHILE IT WAS a tough one for him and his provincial team-mates to take, Robbie Henshaw has stressed that the Leinster squad are keen to move on from last month’s Champions Cup final defeat to Toulouse at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

An ever-present throughout the pool stages of the competition as well as the earlier knockout rounds, Henshaw also played every minute of their extra-time reversal to the Top 14 outfit in north London on 25 May. He had been hoping to add to the Champions Cup crown he secured back in 2018, but the Westmeath native ultimately suffered a fourth European showpiece loss in the Leinster colours – and the third in as many seasons with the Blues.

Instead of making a swift return to action against his former side Connacht at the RDS last Friday, Henshaw was part of a group that did an extensive review of their 31-22 loss at the hands of Toulouse. This consequently helped to put him and the rest of his idle colleagues in the right frame of mind heading into the business end of the United Rugby Championship.

“I think everyone is keen to just push on and move on from what happened in London. I think we did a great review as a small group on the Friday of the Connacht game. We had some good learnings from that, but I think we’ve all moved on now and we’ve all parked it,” Henshaw remarked at a Leinster media briefing in UCD on Monday.

“It’s always tough looking back. There were definitely a lot of opportunities that we missed [against Toulouse], particularly in that first half when we were on their line a few times. Had good entries into their ‘22’ and didn’t convert. Big chances there that we left and that probably came back to bite us in the end.”

When you consider it was on 18 June of last year that Ireland head coach Andy Farrell first brought his summer training squad together for the first block of pre-season training in preparation for the Rugby World Cup in France – and the warm-up games that preceded it – Henshaw and the majority of his international compatriots in the Leinster squad already have a long season of rugby under their belts.

Yet as he gets ready to face Ulster in an United Rugby Championship quarter-final at the Aviva Stadium this Saturday (kick-off 5pm), Henshaw insisted that maintaining sharpness in the closing stages of 2023/24 will be as much of a mental challenge as a physical one.

“I think players and management are well aware it has been a long season. We are not chasing anything down in training. There are a lot of miles on the clock. A lot of games in the bank already. When you come to that last few games, it’s more about being fresh, about being mentally sharp.

“You carry knocks throughout the season, in a long season particularly. I think we are into a year since we started prep for the World Cup. We got together in June. Players are aware that there have been a lot of games played.”

This weekend in Irish Rugby HQ, Leinster will come face-to-face with an Ulster side that are seeking a third win against their interprovincial rivals in the current edition of the URC. Henshaw was playing when Leo Cullen’s men lost out to the northern province on New Year’s Day at the RDS, but their upcoming opponents have undergone significant change since then.

Less than two months on from that victory, Dan McFarland stepped down as Ulster head coach with Richie Murphy subsequently stepping into the hot seat following the conclusion of Ireland’s U20 Six Nations campaign.

Initially drafted into the set-up on an interim basis, the Wicklow man has since been appointed as a permanent replacement for McFarland and guided Ulster to a sixth-place finish in the URC regular season standings. Having worked with Murphy during his time as skills and kicking coach in the Ireland senior set-up, Henshaw is expecting Ulster to be a tough proposition for Leinster on Saturday.

“He’s a good coach and you can see his work is paying off there. They’re getting better and better under him. I think he knows a lot about how we play as well. He has coached us for a number of years in the Irish set-up, so he’ll have I suppose good intel on us coming into this week,” Henshaw added.

“We’ll need to be ready to go against him and I think he’ll have a few trick plays up his sleeve as well. I think they will be a challenge for us this week in the Aviva. We’ll be keen to go out strong and play our best rugby against them, because they have had two wins against us this season.”

Daire Walsh

ROBBIE HENSHAW has stressed that the Leinster squad are keen to move on from last month’s Champions Cup final defeat to Toulouse.

An ever-present throughout the pool stages of the competition as well as the earlier knockout rounds, Henshaw also played every minute of their extra-time loss to the Top 14 outfit in north London on May 25.

He had been hoping to add to the Champions Cup crown he secured back in 2018 but the Westmeath native ultimately suffered a fourth European showpiece loss in the Leinster colours — and the third in as many seasons.

Instead of making a swift return to action against his former side Connacht at the RDS last Friday, Henshaw was part of a group that did an extensive review of their 31-22 defeat.

This helped to put him and the rest of his idle colleagues in the right frame of mind heading into the URC knockouts.

He said: “I think everyone is keen to just push on and move on from what happened in London.

“I think we did a great review as a small group on the Friday of the Connacht game. We had some good learnings from that but I think we’ve all moved on now and we’ve all parked it.

“It’s always tough looking back. There were definitely a lot of opportunities that we missed, particularly in that first half when we were on their line a few times.

“We had good entries into their 22 and didn’t convert. Big chances there that we left and that probably came back to bite us in the end.”

INTERNAL AFFAIRS

Of course, Leinster still have a shot at silverware in the shape of the URC trophy and this Saturday sees them taking on Ulster in their quarter-final at the Aviva Stadium.

However, their provincial rivals will be seeking a third win against Leinster this season — following home and away wins during the league part of the competition.

Both games were ones which Leinster will feel got away, with the combined points difference just three between the two teams.

Henshaw was playing when Leo Cullen’s men lost out to the northern province on New Year’s Day at the RDS but Ulster have since undergone significant change.

Less than two months on from that victory, Dan McFarland stepped down as head coach with Richie Murphy taking the hotseat following the conclusion of Ireland’s Under-20 Six Nations campaign.

This was initially as an interim appointment before eventually taking over on a permanent basis from the English man.

Having worked with Murphy during his time as skills and kicking coach in the Ireland senior set-up, Henshaw is expecting Ulster to be a tough proposition.

The Blues ace added: “He’s a good coach and you can see his work is paying off there. They’re getting better and better under him

“I think he knows a lot about how we play as well. He has coached us for a number of years in the Irish set-up, so he’ll have good intel on us coming into this week.

“We’ll need to be ready to go against him and I think he’ll have a few trick plays up his sleeve as well. I think they will be a challenge for us this week in the Aviva.

“We’ll be keen to go out strong and play our best rugby against them, because they have had two wins against us this season.”

ANDREW GOODMAN insists he has not seen any glaring issues with Leinster’s attack.

It is an area of their game that has come under the microscope recently.

Despite having numerous entries into the opposition’s 22 over the course of a contest that ran for 100-plus minutes, Leinster only managed a single try — an extra-time effort by Josh van der Flier — in their Champions Cup final defeat to Toulouse last month.

While the arrival of Jacques Nienaber as senior coach was always going to lead to an increased emphasis on defence.

It has been suggested in some quarters that Leinster’s attacking play may have suffered as a result.

Yet speaking as the man who is in charge of this side of the game for the province — and is set to begin a similar role with the Ireland senior side later this year — Goodman responded to talk of their attack going backwards.

He said: “I did see that after the game.

“When you look back at the game in terms of how much play we created and opportunities we created compared to Toulouse, it was massive.

“I think if we had executed a couple of those opportunities in the first half, that takes a bit of the wind out of their sails and it gives you a little bit more.

“You can’t underestimate the momentum that can give a team when you execute one or two of those opportunities.

“As I think has been said, there’s definitely not a change, in terms of the boys are still driving the same as what they have been doing.

“Unfortunately, we didn’t get the execution right in that game on the biggest stage.

“Which was a shame but we are driving our attack standards and looking to play the Leinster way as much and as often as we ever have.

“I think we just need to execute better when we get the ball.”

Leinster — who are finally set to welcome Garry Ringrose back following a lengthy spell on the sidelines — are aiming to strike the right balance this weekend in what they hope will be the first of three knockout games in the URC.

The Aviva Stadium is the venue this Saturday as the Blues take on Ulster in the quarter- finals.

Should they come out on top at Lansdowne Road, Leinster could find themselves in Pretoria the following weekend — provided the Bulls come through their own last-eight duel with Benetton on Saturday.

There is also just 18 days to go until the final takes place but given Ulster enjoyed home and away wins over Leinster during the regular URC season, Goodman is trying not to look too far ahead.

All going to plan for Leinster, a final showdown with Munster is on the cards — and a chance at revenge for last year’s semi-final defeat to the Reds.

Goodman continued: “It’s a great challenge. All we are focusing on this week is a fired-up Ulster who have beaten us twice.

“We have just come off the final defeat, so there is plenty of motivation around this building as well. There is no complacency or anything.

“We are full throttle, looking to make sure we get a great performance, which is going to lead to an outcome.

“If we get off to South Africa, we get off to South Africa. We just get into it and what a way to finish the season if we can get it done.”

IT IS AN area of their game that has come under the microscope, but Leinster assistant coach Andrew Goodman insists he hasn’t seen any glaring issues with the province’s attack in recent times.

Despite having numerous entries into the opposition’s ‘22’ over the course of a contest that ran for 100 plus minutes, Leinster only managed to claim a single try – an extra-time effort by Josh van der Flier – in their Champions Cup final defeat to Toulouse at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last month.

While the arrival of Jacques Nienaber as senior coach was always going to lead to an increased emphasis on defence, it has been suggested in some quarters that Leinster’s attacking play may have suffered as a result.

Yet speaking in his capacity as the man who is in charge of this side of the game for the eastern province – and is set to begin a similar role within the Irish national team set-up later this year – Goodman is adamant their approach to attack hasn’t changed from what had gone before.

“I did see that after the game [talk about Leinster’s attack]. When you look back at the game in terms of how much play we created and opportunities we created compared to Toulouse, it was massive. I think if we had executed a couple of those opportunities in the first half, that takes a bit of the wind out of their sails and it gives you a little bit more,” Goodman explained at a Leinster media briefing in UCD yesterday.

“You can’t underestimate the momentum that can give a team when you execute one or two of those opportunities. As I think has been said, there’s definitely not a change, in terms of the boys are still driving the same as what they have been doing.

“Unfortunately, we didn’t get the execution [right] in that game on the biggest stage. Which was a shame, but we are driving our attack standards and looking to play the Leinster way as much and as often as we ever have.

“I don’t think we would ever be talking about it if one or two of those passes had stuck and it was a different result. Yes, we have got to try and get the Leinster way. It needs to be a way where we can be a great, great team with the ball and without the ball. That’s the challenge.”

From this regard, Leinster are aiming to strike the right balance this weekend in what they hope will be the first of three knockout games in the current edition of the United Rugby Championship. The Aviva Stadium is the venue this Saturday as the Blues take on Ulster at the quarter-final stage of the competition.

Should they come out on top at Irish Rugby HQ, Leinster could find themselves in Pretoria the following weekend – provided The Bulls come through their own last-eight duel with Benetton on Saturday. There is also just 18 days to go until the final takes place, but given Ulster enjoyed home and away wins over Leinster during the regular URC season, Goodman is trying not to look too far ahead.

“It’s a great challenge. All we are focusing on this week is a fired-up Ulster who have beaten us twice. We have just come off the final defeat, so there is plenty of motivation around this building as well. There is no complacency or anything.

“We are full throttle, looking to make sure we get a great performance, which is going to lead to an outcome. If we get off to South Africa, we get off to South Africa. We just get into it and what a way to finish the season if we can get it done.”

Meanwhile, after not being able to call on his services since a Champions Cup pool stage victory against Leicester Tigers on 20 January, it seems Leinster will finally have a fully-fit Garry Ringrose to choose from for Saturday’s game in the Aviva.

Troubled by a shoulder injury for several months, Ringrose was earmarked as being available for selection in a squad bulletin that was released yesterday. Although Robbie Henshaw and Jamie Osborne have been forming a strong midfield partnership in his absence, Goodman admitted it was a huge boost for the Leinster joint-captain to be back in the frame.

“He has been training for a number of weeks now and the contact levels have been slightly going up and up. It’s great to see him take more steps in the right direction over the last week. There are still a couple of things he needs to tick off through this week,” Goodman added.

“We have a midfield partnership that has been going pretty well at the same time, so we just have to assess what’s best for the 23-man squad. We would have no problem bringing him back in terms of not playing because of what he has been doing in training.”

Daire Walsh