Leo Cullen bats away questions on 'RG Snyman to Leinster' report

COY: Head coach Leo Cullen during a Leinster Rugby squad training session at UCD in Dublin. Pic: Harry Murphy/Sportsfile

Leinster head coach Leo Cullen has refused to be drawn on reports that the club has secured the services of Munster second row RG Snyman come the end of the current season.

News of what would be a huge move between the two rivals was revealed in the Irish Times late on Thursday night and has already attracted significant reaction among fans of both sides on social media.

“Listen, at the moment our attention is on Sale tomorrow,” said Cullen ahead of their second-round Champions Cup game against the Premiership side at the RDS.

“We talk about it at this time of year, there is lots of different conversations, discussions happening in the background so when those become a bit firmer, yeah, we’ll be the first to let you know.

“But at the moment, it’s not where our attention is at the moment, and that is out of respect for all different parties as well. So, yeah, focus on the game now, I believe it’s a sell-out, great to be here, the place is looking well.” 

Leinster picked up Jason Jenkins from Munster two years ago after what had been an injury-hit stint in Limerick and history appears to be repeating itself now with Snyman after four seasons and just ten appearances in red.

A two-time World Cup winner with South Africa, Snyman has suffered two long-term ACL injuries during his time in Ireland and he picked up a chest/shoulder injury that required surgery during the Springboks’ successful retention of the Webb Ellis in France.

Jenkins has been named in the starting XV for Saturday’s Champions Cup tie at home to Sale Shark. The South African is one of four changes from the team that started their pool campaign with a 16-9 win away to La Rochelle last Sunday.

Another two of the changes come in the pack with Thomas Clarkson starting at tighthead. Clarkson was named on the bench last weekend but didn’t make it on for what would have been his European debut. Josh van der Flier comes into the back row for Will Connors.

The last change sees Ciaran Frawley start at ten in the Champions Cup for the first time. The Skerries man came on last week for the injured Harry Byrne who is still unavailable having been rerouted through the graduated return-to-play protocols.

Frawley is backed up by 20-year Sam Prendergast who will also appear in this competition for the first time if he is used. The same applies to reserve nine Ben Murphy who was also unused in La Rochelle on the opening weekend.

Leinster: H Keenan; J Larmour, G Ringrose, R Henshaw, J O’Brien; C Frawley, J Gibson-Park; A Porter, D Sheehan, T Clarkson; J Jenkins, J Ryan; R Baird, J van der Flier, C Doris.

Replacements: R Kelleher, C Healy, M Ala’alatoa, J McCarthy, J Conan, B Murphy, S Prendergast, C Ngatai.