The towering RG Snyman awaits Kyle Steyn and Henco Venter when Glasgow Warriors and Leinster clash at the Aviva Stadium in the Vodacom URC semi-finals on Saturday.
SA-born Scotland international Steyn will captain the defending champions Glasgow in Dublin, with compatriot Venter named at No 8, while URC Players’ Player of the Season Snyman is set to make an impact off the bench for Leinster.
The clash marks the third meeting between the teams this season. Glasgow suffered a humiliating 52-0 Investec Champions Cup defeat in April before pushing a youthful Leinster side in a narrow 13-5 loss two weeks ago. Saturday’s winner advances to face either the Bulls or Sharks in next week’s final.
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Franco Smith has made two changes to the Glasgow starting XV that beat the Stormers in the quarter-finals last week. Fin Richardson comes in at tighthead prop, while Adam Hastings returns at flyhalf, forcing Tom Jordan to shift to inside centre alongside Sione Tuipulotu.
Steyn anchors an unchanged back three with Kyle Rowe and Josh McKay. Venter provides crucial experience in the back row, partnering flankers Euan Ferrie and Rory Darge.
Leinster boss Leo Cullen, meanwhile, makes three personnel changes from the Irish giants’ last-eight victory over Scarlets. Jimmy O’Brien moves to fullback with Tommy O’Brien joining the back three, while Scott Penny starts at openside flanker and Dan Sheehan returns at hooker.
Jack Conan captains the hosts with Ryan Baird shifting to blindside flanker. Joe McCarthy and James Ryan continue their second-row partnership, providing the platform for halfbacks Jamison Gibson-Park and Sam Prendergast.
James Lowe starts on the left wing, sitting just two tries short of Shane Horgan’s club record of 69 Leinster tries. Jordie Barrett and Jamie Osborne form the midfield combination.
Photo: Craig Williamson/SNS Group via Getty Images
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