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Northampton have been learning about the history of Croke Park in anticipation of becoming the first English club side to play at the home of Gaelic sport when they clash with Leinster on Saturday.
Northampton have been learning about the history of Croke Park in anticipation of becoming the first English club side to play at the home of Gaelic Games when they clash with Leinster on Saturday. Saints visit the famous stadium for an Investec Champions Cup semi-final that matches the best teams in Ireland and England. Director of rugby Phil Dowson believes crucial to success is an understanding of the history of Croke Park, which is steeped in national symbolism as the site of the 1920 Bloody Sunday massacre that took place during the Irish War of Independence. Northampton's Irish strength and conditioning coach Eamonn Hyland gave a presentation on its background to the squad on Monday and while Dowson stresses "we are not playing against ghosts", he knows the venue carried special meaning. "It's absolutely fundamental that we have an appreciation of the significance of Croke Park, both culturally and historically, to the Irish battle for independence and to their psyche," Dowson said. "It's mainly important because we should have an understanding of the history, regardless of whether we are playing rugby there or not. "But we should also understand the influence it will have on their playing group, the crowd and the implications for that around the atmosphere. "At the same time we are not playing against ghosts. We need an appreciation and respect for the history, but then we have to get our game on the field.
Ireland's Aoife Wafer has been nominated for Player of the Championship in the 2024 Guinness Women's Six Nations.
Leinster will have Garry Ringrose and Jimmy O'Brien available for selection for Saturday’s Investec Champions Cup semi-final against Northampton, but Hugo Keenan is still being assessed for a hip injury.
Gordon D'Arcy doesn’t believe there’s any reason for Leinster to change their European centre partnership of Jamie Osborne and Robbie Henshaw, even if Garry Ringrose becomes available.
Hugo Keenan will miss out on Leinster's trip to South Africa through injury, the province have confirmed.
Northampton are through to the Champions Cup quarter-finals after two tries by George Hendy broke Munster’s resistance in a 24-14 victory.