Leinster Rugby vs DHL Stormers

Debbie Carty welcome
PRESIDENT, LEINSTER RUGBY 2022/23
On behalf of Leinster Rugby, I
would like to welcome you all to
the RDS Arena for this evening’s
match against DHL Stormers in
Round 16 of this season’s BKT URC.
In particular, I wish to extend a
warm welcome to Dublin to our
South African visitors, to their
Chairperson, to the squad, their
Head Coach John Dobson and
their management team and
hope you are enjoying your visit
here for the URC competition.
Leinster have won their last fifteen
matches in the URC and are now into the
Round of 16 in the Heineken Champions
Cup, I would like to congratulate the
Leinster squad on their wins to date.
Leinster are leading in the URC, and
will be confident heading into tonight’s
match. We also expect the DHL
Stormers to be very confident as they
themselves are playing very well in the
URC winning a majority of their games
in the URC. We expect tonight to be a
challenging and physical match as we
strive to take back the League title.
It’s an extremely busy time for Rugby,
having just played and won the Six
Nations last week, but we will be
missing a few key players, but I have no
doubt that with the depth in the Leinster
squad, we will handle the challenge of
meeting the Stormers tonight.
I would like congratulate Andy Farrell,
his coaching staff and of course the
players on their outstanding results by
winning the Six Nations with a Triple
Crown and Grand Slam win in the Final
match in the Aviva against England on
St. Patrick’s weekend.
On that note can I congratulate Leinster
Players Garry Ringrose and Josh van
der Flier on receiving their 50th Caps
after the Ireland v England game last
week. I’d also like to congratulate
Johnny Sexton on breaking the record
for most points scored during the Six
Nations.
Irish rugby is in a great place at the
moment, and it was brilliant to see our
U20 team also win the Grand Slam last
weekend. Their win in Cork meant it was
back-to-back Grand Slams for Richie
Murphy’s team.
On the domestic front, a number of
the Leinster Leagues, Metro Leagues
and Schools matches will be played
this weekend, with a number of the
competitions coming down to the last
match. It will be an exciting weekend in
the domestic game.
On the Schools front, a huge well done
to Declan Fassbender, Martin Fenlon
and the rest of their coaching squad
on a phenomenal win with Gonzaga
beating Blackrock College in the SCT.
In the Bank of Ireland Provincial Towns
Cup, we are down to the last four teams
for the Semi Finals, with those games
set for being played on9 April. A
very competitive local derby between
Carlow and Tullow is the pick of the ties,
as Cill Dara play last year’s winners
Kilkenny. I would advise you all to get
down to your local club for what will be
some cracking games of Rugby.
I would like to welcome to the RDS this
evening the mini rugby teams who will
play at half time in the Bank of Ireland
Mini Games. To the players from Birr,
Longford, Naas and Newbridge rugby
clubs, your coaches and parents, I
know you will all enjoy the occasion. I
would ask all supporters to show your
appreciation and cheer on these young
stars of the future.
To our title sponsor Bank of Ireland,
great patrons of both our professional
and domestic games, who along with
all our premium partners and suppliers,
who do so much to support Leinster
Rugby, I offer my sincere thanks.
Finally, to you the fans, our Season
Ticket Holders, members of the Official
Leinster Supporters Club and Friends of
Leinster, I thank you for the contribution
you make on match days. I am sure this
evening will be no different as you get
the roar going and the flags waving to
cheer on “the Boys in Blue” to another
victory. Let us hope for an energetic,
exciting and injury free match tonight.
Debbie Carty
Leinster Rugby President 2022/23
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