Rugby returns to Croke Park for the first time since 2010 as Leinster host Northampton in the semi-finals of the Champions Cup this weekend.
In what is to be a sell out with over 82,000 fans, Northampton will make the trip to Dublin to watch only the second club rugby match ever to take place at the historic GAA venue.
Leinster are the heavy favourites for this one having emphatically beaten La Rochelle, but Northampton have already caused upsets against Irish opposition this season.
13 April 2024; Leinster players, from left, Jack Conan, Jamison Gibson-Park, Ciarán Frawley and Dan Sheehan celebrate after the Investec Champions Cup quarter-final match between Leinster and La Rochelle at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
It's also a rematch of the all-time classic that is the 2011 Heineken Cup final, which saw Johnny Sexton spark one of the greatest comebacks of all time to see Leinster win Europe's top prize for what was the second time.
There's history between these two sides and more will be made so here's everything you need to know about Leinster v Northampton.
When is Leinster v Northampton Saints?
Leinster host Northampton at Croke Park on Saturday 4th May and kick off is at 5:30pm.
How To Watch Leinster V Northampton Saints
You can watch the match live on RTÉ2 with their coverage starting from 4:45pm
The match is also live on TNT Sports 2 from 5:15pm.
Team News
Garry Ringrose misses out despite a positive news update earlier in the week, with Hugo Keenan also remaining on the sidelines.
Jimmy O'Brien is back however, bringing bench cover with Josh van der Flier coming into the XV for Will Connors.
Co-captain James Ryan is still out after sustaining a bicep injury in Ireland's training camp over the Six Nations.
📥 | 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐂𝐫𝐨𝐤𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐬 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞...
Here is the #LeinsterRugby team to face @SaintsRugby tomorrow evening in the @ChampionsCup #LEIvNOR #FromTheGroundUp pic.twitter.com/H9Q2QCBDGB— Leinster Rugby (@leinsterrugby) May 3, 2024
Northampton come into this match off the back of a disappointing defeat at Harlequins last weekend at Twickenham.
There is further misery for the English side with Lewis Ludlam and Ollie Sleightholme ruled out through injury.
They do have experience of winning on Irish shores having beat Munster at Thomond Park in January, before beating them again in the Round of 16 back at Franklin's Gardens.
20 January 2024; Antoine Frisch of Munster in action against Ollie Sleightholme of Northampton Saints during the Investec Champions Cup Pool 3 Round 4 match between Munster and Northampton Saints at Thomond Park in Limerick. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
It's all set to be a momentous ocassion for Leinster and Irish rugby as it marks the return of rugby to Croker, let's hope the Boys in Blue can back it up now with a performance and reach their third Champions Cup Final in-a-row.
SEE ALSO: Brian O'Driscoll Recalls Hilarious Coppers Injury Mishap During Heineken Cup Celebrations
