Leinster’s form in the United Rugby Championship implies that they are still a force to be reckoned with, as the team are primed for a playoff berth—and will be hoping to follow up last season’s title win with another one.
Their form in the Champions Cup is also impressive, having won all four games they have contested in the competition in a group that features the Harlequins, Stormers and Leicester.
Bot one big name will not be present for the Round of 16 game against URC strugglers Edinburgh, with rotation favoured amidst complaints about the player’s form.
Leo Cullen announces ‘amazing’ Sam Prendergast will not feature at fly-half for Leinster
Sam Prendergast was a starring name in the group stages of the Champions Cup for Leinster, playing in all four of Pool 3 games as Leinster topped the group.
Alongside this, he has played in half of his team’s 14 games in the URC, and has been the starting 10 in six of them—scoring a try, a penalty try and making 14 conversions so far in 2025/26 for a title of 36 points.
Head coach Leo Cullen has opted for backup fly-half Harry Byrne instead of Ireland international Prendergast, but has defended his decision, saying it was down to wanting to encourage competition in the squad.
On Prendergast’s ability, Cullen said:
“The big thing is Sam has trained unbelievably well this week… Sam is such a quality player and he’s going to be an amazing player. And, you know, what he’s achieved so far as a very, very young man.”
On the decision to rotate the squad:
“This is one selection and we’ll see. It’s just making sure that we have a very competitive group. And there’s other players that have also missed out this week that are serious players.
“Unfortunately you can’t put everyone in there, but if we want to be successful in the two competitions, which is what we want, we need everyone to be making sure we’re fully engaged as the season goes on and delivering everything we possibly can for the team… Harry [Byrne] wins this one. And listen, we’ll see how the next few weeks play out.”
Other games to take place in the Champions Cup this Friday and weekend include Northampton Saints vs. Castres at 8:00 tonight—you can read our preview here.
