Leinster boss Leo Cullen admits selection heart-break as retiring Cian Healy misses URC Final

Healy announced his plans to retire from rugby at the end of the 2024/25 season, having previously hung up his Test match boots following Ireland's 2025 Guinness Men's Six Nations campaign. Healy suffered an injury within the first 20 minutes of Leinster's Champions Cup semi-final defeat to Northampton Saints, in what has now been confirmed to be his final contribution to his beloved province.

With 136 Ireland caps, Healy holds the appearance record for his country, and the prop will go down in history in Dublin as an undeniable Leinster legend. Having been a stalwart of club since 2007, the front row has accrued four Champions Cup titles and has won the league on seven occasions. Cullen admitted how it was incredibly tough to forego Healy's involvement in Saturday's URC Final, with Andrew Porter and Jack Boyle selected to cover loose-head prop against the Vodacom Bulls.

“Someone like Cian Healy, you think what he’s done and what he’s achieved with the club." Cullen said, when asked about the toughest selection decisions for the week. "You look around and, as I said, those images of all the different finals, the contribution he’s made to Leinster Rugby, that’s probably been the most difficult one of all,” Cullen said.

Healy’s omission is symbolic of the immense depth in the Leinster squad, with Jamie Osborne another standout performer to miss out on a starting role. The versatile young back drops to the bench, with Garry Ringrose returning to the XV. When pressed for an explanation, Cullen gave his two cents on the matter at hand.

“Jamie again, we talked about this last week, he’s a player that gives us a lot of versatility for starters. I thought he was excellent (against Glasgow), and he’s somebody that’s unlucky to miss out in being involved in the starting 15.

"But, Gary obviously has a ton of experience. Jordie (Barrett) again, obviously someone who has a lot of experience at the highest level of the game as well. Whether Jamie comes in the midfield or at 15, he’s played test match rugby for Ireland as a 15 as well. He’s an unbelievably good young player and unlucky to miss out on starting, but hopefully he’ll have a big impact on the game as well.”

Also returning to the Leinster side is World Player of the Year Josh van der Flier and captain Jack Conan, bringing firepower and big-match experience to the Leinster back row.

The front row sees Thomas Clarkson, who Cullen described as “excellent,” joining Dan Sheehan and Andrew Porter, while James Ryan and Joe McCarthy form the second row pairing. Ross Byrne, a decade-long servant of the province, is set for a potentially emotional final appearance, named on the bench as Sam Prendergast continues at fly-half.

“Ross has been unbelievable." Cullen added. "I’ve really enjoyed working with Ross over the last 10 years. He’s been involved in some great days for Leinster. He’ll be a loss. Whether this is the last time he plays for Leinster or not, we’ll wait and see what the future holds, but hopefully he finishes his time in at this period on a positive note.”

Cullen’s side face a formidable challenge from a powerful Bulls outfit led by head coach Jake White and packed with South African internationals. The Leinster boss was full of respect, as he turned the scope towards the incoming opponents.

“They’re a very experienced team, tons of international experience there. Jake obviously a very experienced coach as well. We know it’s going to be a great challenge.”

While the Bulls have yet to win a URC title, they have travelled well this season and will arrive in Dublin with confidence after strong performances in Ireland earlier this year. It is a third URC Final for the men from Pretoria, after their 2022 all-South African defeat to the Stormers, and shocking 2024 upset loss to Glasgow Warriors on home soil.

“They’ve experienced two finals within South Africa and came up short in both of them." Cullen explained. "Do I think them playing away from their home-based fans could potentially make them a different, more difficult team? Possibly. I hope not, but possibly. They’ve travelled well during the course of the year, had a couple of good wins in Ireland earlier on. I think they’ll be very confident coming into the game.”

The final will be Leinster’s first at Croke Park since 2009, a fact not lost on Cullen or the players. He praised the loyal Leinster supporters who have filled stadiums all season long, from the RDS to the Aviva, and now to GAA headquarters.

“The numbers we’ve had attending games has been phenomenal. We’re very appreciative of the support we’ve had all year. The numbers are incredible when you see them. We want to put on a performance now because so much work has gone into getting us to this point.”

Cullen also singled out winger Tommy O’Brien, whose energy and physicality has earned him a starting jersey in one of the most hotly contested positions in the squad.

“He’s all action, chases hard. You could see it right from the first restart last week — Ryan Baird had a great chase and Tommy, straight on the ball, poached it. That sets us up for the start of the game.

"Over the course of the season, he comes up with huge moments — cover tackles, his aerial ability, finishing ability, how decisive he is in contact. He’s usually a physical winger for us. He’s had to go through injuries and setbacks at the worst time for him personally, leading into big games, but he’s been outstanding this season and it’s great he got to a final now. Hopefully he goes well this weekend.”

With both Leinster and the Bulls finishing first and second on the league table respectively, this final is a fitting clash between the two most consistent teams of the season. For Cullen and his players, it’s a chance to end a barren run that has seen them fall short in recent URC and Champions Cup knockout stages. A trophy is in high demand for the Dubliners, to end a wait for a major title that now stretches back to 2021 PRO14 season.

“The first thing is trying to get to a final. We managed to do that, so that’s positive. Now it’s just trying to prepare as well as we possibly can and produce a big performance on the day. We’re touching on some of the brandings around the stadium here — we’ve had some good days as well. There’s enough experience in the group now. Guys have experienced winning and losing finals. It’s a great challenge for us.”

LEINSTER RUGBY:
15. Jimmy O’Brien, 14. Tommy O’Brien, 13. Garry Ringrose, 12. Jordie Barrett, 11. James Lowe, 10. Sam Prendergast, 9. Jamison Gibson-Park, 8. Jack Conan (c), 7. Josh van der Flier, 6. Ryan Baird, 5. James Ryan, 4. Joe McCarthy, 3. Thomas Clarkson, 2. Dan Sheehan, 1. Andrew Porter.

Replacements (16–23): 16. Rónán Kelleher, 17. Jack Boyle, 18. Rabah Slimani, 19. RG Snyman, 20. Max Deegan, 21. Luke McGrath, 22. Ross Byrne, 23. Jamie Osborne.

VODACOM BULLS:
15. Willie le Roux, 14. Canan Moodie, 13. David Kriel, 12. Harold Vorster, 11. Sebastian de Klerk, 10. Johan Goosen, 9. Embrose Papier, 8. Marcell Coetzee, 7. Ruan Nortjé (c), 6. Marco van Staden, 5. JF van Heerden, 4. Cobus Wiese, 3. Wilco Louw, 2. Johan Grobbelaar, 1. Jan-Hendrik Wessels.

Replacements (16–23): 16. Akker van der Merwe, 17. Simphiwe Matanzima, 18. Mornay Smith, 19. Jannes Kirsten, 20. Nizaam Carr, 21. Zak Burger, 22. Keagan Johannes, 23. Devon Williams.