URC ’25: Leinster 36 – 12 Stormers

In a highly anticipated United Rugby Championship clash on Saturday January 25 2025, Leinster secured a commanding 36-12 victory over the Stormers at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. This win marked Leinster’s first-ever triumph over the South African side in the URC.

Match Highlights

Dan Sheehan’s Triumphant Return: After a six-month hiatus due to a severe anterior cruciate ligament injury, hooker Dan Sheehan made a remarkable comeback, captaining Leinster and scoring two tries. His performance was instrumental in securing the bonus-point victory. Sheehan expressed his gratitude towards the Leinster medical staff, particularly his physio Emma Galvin and boxing coach Cathal O’Grady, for their support during his rehabilitation. He described his return as feeling like “another debut” and emphasized the special nature of being back on the pitch after a prolonged absence.

James Lowe’s Impact: Winger James Lowe also returned to action after being sidelined since November with a calf issue. He played the full 80 minutes, contributing significantly to Leinster’s attacking prowess.

Additional Tries: Andrew Osborne and Jordie Barrett each crossed the try line, bolstering Leinster’s lead. Ross Byrne added conversions and a penalty to round off the scoring.

Stormers’ Response: The Stormers managed two tries, with Ben Loader and Evan Roos touching down, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Leinster’s dominance.

Injury Update: The match witnessed a concerning moment when scrum-half Luke McGrath was stretchered off due to a neck injury. Post-match reports provided reassurance, with head coach Leo Cullen confirming that McGrath was fine and that the neck brace was precautionary. McGrath was in the dressing room without major issues.