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