Stormers primed to break Dublin duck
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Fortuitous timing has opened a window of opportunity for the Stormers when they clash with Irish giants Leinster in a key Vodacom URC showdown in Dublin on Saturday, writes MARK KEOHANE.
Writing for TimesLIVE, Keohane details how Leinster's formidable squad is missing a core of Ireland internationals to 2025 Six Nations preparation, and this opens the door for John Dobson's Stormers to clinch their first win in Dublin.
Leinster still boast several capped players, including two-time Springbok world champion RG Snyman, as well as the expertise of defence coach Jacques Nienaber.
But Keohane argues that the Stormers – unbeaten against Leo Cullen’s charges in three previous meetings, including a draw at the Aviva Stadium in 2023 – will take confidence from last week's resilient Investec Champions Cup display against Racing 92 in Paris.
Dobson is set to recall key players Warrick Gelant, Ben-Jason Dixon, Manie Libbok and Deon Fourie to help boost the Stormers' chances in the Irish capital, where a win could propel the 10th-placed Cape contenders into the URC top four.
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Keohane also notes that a return to URC action this week is a chance for the Stormers, Sharks, Lions and Vodacom Bulls to regroup after challenging 2024-25 European cup campaigns.
"The Stormers have never lost to Irish giants Leinster. They've played them twice in Cape Town and won twice and in their only outing in Dublin, left with a 22-all draw," he writes.
"It is a record they will back themselves to maintain, given the absence of so many leading Irish internationals.
"The URC, just like the draw in the Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup, has been a challenge for all the South African teams, but when it comes to this Dublin showdown the Stormers could not have asked for more good fortune.
"It is a match that could prove the most defining of the league phase for the Stormers, whose sole focus now is on qualifying for the URC playoffs…"
Photo: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile/Gallo Images)
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