Leinster Supporters Websites Deserve a Trophy, According to James Ryan, While Glasgow Warriors Seem More Single-Minded on Victory
Fresh Take:
James Ryan, Leinster's gritty second-row, rallies supporters ahead of this Saturday's URC semi-final against Glasgow Warriors, expressing the team's eagerness for a trophy that's been long overdue. Following their quarter-final success over Scarlets, Leinster's head coach, Leo Cullen, had appealed to fans for a larger turnout at Aviva Stadium, citing the holiday weekend and DART works as mitigating factors for the low attendance last time around.
Ryan emphasized the significance of energetic support, saying, "We really do feed off that energy, and it's extremely important, so we look forward to seeing as many as we can." He acknowledges the team's frustrations from the past few European seasons and the four-year trophy drought, but he remains focused on the task at hand: securing a win against Glasgow.
Cullen, too, admitted that, in past seasons, there had been instances of overzealous anticipation prior to critical matches, including the Champions Cup defeat to Saints. The titanic Glasgow Warriors, winners of last year's URC title despite losing twice in the last eight weeks in Dublin, will provide a fierce test. Ryan warns, "They'll be a different team," citing their formidable performance against Leinster in their previous encounter and their impressive wins against Stormers and Bulls.
Leinster's recent performances have been called into question by former players, with criticisms levied for their disjointed performances. However, Ryan and the team are determined not to let external opinions sway them. "We try to ignore it," Ryan confesses, "Everyone has an opinion now, and that's just the way it is." He assures that the team's focus remains on self-improvement and delivering a strong performance this weekend.
With the prospect of facing a trophy-starved Leinster team at home, Glasgow Warriors will not be underestimated. Ryan, however, is optimistic, acknowledging their challenging form, but refusing to let it dampen their spirits. "We've said over the last few weeks, we've put our hands up, our performance wasn't good enough against Northampton, but we have to move on," he declares.
As Leinster prepares to face Glasgow Warriors on Saturday, fans are encouraged to rally behind their team, eager to witness a potential URC final in Croke Park should Leinster qualify. Ryan and the team remain grounded, focusing on their impending clash and the undeniable allure of a trophy they believe they owe to their loyal supporters. Hear more on the RTE Rugby podcast, available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more.
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- James Ryan, the Leinster player, spoke about the Premier League, expressing his anticipation for a trophy that has eluded them for four years and mentioned the European-leagues competition, saying, "We're focused on securing a win, not just for ourselves but for our loyal supporters who deserve a trophy."
- In the build-up to the URC semi-final against Glasgow Warriors, Ryan highlighted the significance of fan support, stating, "We really feed off their energy, especially in European competitions like the Champions Cup or the Europa League, so we urge everyone to come out and support us at Aviva Stadium."
