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Leinster vs Ulster

Leinster | Official Matchday Programme of Leinster Rugby | Issue 12 Leinster Rugby vs Ulster | EPCR Heineken Champions Cup Saturday 1st April, 2023 | KO 5.30pm | RDS Arena

Leinster | Official Matchday Programme of Leinster Rugby | Issue 12
Leinster Rugby vs Ulster | EPCR Heineken Champions Cup
Saturday 1st April, 2023 | KO 5.30pm | RDS Arena

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old shone for <strong>Leinster</strong> both domestically,<br />

and in Europe throughout December<br />

and January.<br />

“We had a great pool stage in the<br />

Heineken Champions Cup. That teed<br />

us up well for the Six Nations, and now<br />

into the business end of the season. It’s<br />

where we want to be.<br />

“The pool games will mean nothing, if<br />

we don’t do the business against <strong>Ulster</strong>.<br />

It’s great that we have such a big game<br />

to come back to after the Six Nations.”<br />

Keenan’s return in blue came against<br />

today’s opponents in early December.<br />

<strong>Leinster</strong> played the majority of the game<br />

with 14 men, but an excellent secondhalf<br />

comeback saw the team win 38-29<br />

in front of a raucous RDS crowd.<br />

“<strong>Ulster</strong> showed how much of a quality<br />

side they are, especially in the first half”,<br />

Keenan said of today’s opponents.<br />

“They dipped in form a small bit after<br />

that game, but are coming back into<br />

form now, beating the Bulls last week.<br />

It’ll be a massive challenge against<br />

them. We’re really excited to get into it.”<br />

In the middle of the Guinness Six<br />

Nations, the IRFU announced that<br />

Keenan signed his first deal with the<br />

Union, keeping him with <strong>Leinster</strong> until at<br />

least the end of the 2025/26 season.<br />

In the announcement, IRFU Performance<br />

Director David Nucifora was quick to<br />

point out Keenan’s career trajectory, as<br />

a plus in his development so far.<br />

“Hugo is the first player to come through<br />

the Sevens Programme to attain a<br />

Central 15s Contract. His dedication to<br />

improvement and his drive have gotten<br />

him to this point of his career... He is<br />

the type of player that drives standards<br />

around him and he will have a key role<br />

to play for both Ireland and <strong>Leinster</strong><br />

over the next few seasons.”<br />

“Sevens was great for me, especially<br />

as an outside back”, Keenan admitted,<br />

www.leinsterrugby.ie | 17

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