Preview: Leinster expected to deliver on Croke Park return
Much to the ire of some of the Rugby Family in the UK, Leinster are preparing for yet another Investec Champions Cup semi-final on home soil this evening.
County Northampton Sport News
Fraser Dingwall: Saints won't be overawed at Croke Park
Northampton Saints centre Fraser Dingwall believes his side won't be intimidated by the size of the crowd when they take on Leinster at Croke Park on Saturday.
Leinster ready to harness Champions Cup hurt for 'poignant' Croke Park showdown with Northampton - Andrew Porter
Andrew Porter says Leinster must harness the hurt of their recent European failures in a bid to break the cycle of falling agonisingly short in the Investec Champions Cup.
Leinster, Toulouse face English duo in Champions Cup semi-finals
Irish side Leinster will aim to make it a hat-trick of European Champions Cup final appearances when they host English club Northampton Saints at a sold out Croke Park in Dublin on Saturday as they look to regain the title they last won in 2018.
Andrew Porter using ‘hurt’ of recent seasons as Leinster chase Champions Cup win
Andrew Porter says Leinster must harness the hurt of their recent European failures in a bid to break the cycle of falling agonisingly short in the Investec Champions Cup.
RTÉ Rugby podcast: Champions Cup at Croker, and Ireland deliver in the W6N
Neil Treacy is joined by Bernard Jackman and Mick Kearney to recap another busy week in the BKT United Rugby Championship, and look ahead to Saturday's Investec Champions Cup semi-final between Leinster and Northampton Saints.
Northampton need ‘appreciation and respect’ for Croke Park history ahead of semi-final
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 need 'appreciation and respect' for Croke Park ahead of Leinster semi-final
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.