Leinster's Ross Byrne is hoping that the Champions Cup semi-final against Northampton Saints on Saturday in the iconic Croke Park stadium can be a special one for him and the Leinster players.
Byrne and the Irish province will play in the famous GAA venue for the first time since 2009 this weekend. Because the Aviva Stadium is being used for the Europa League final later this month, the chance to make history in Croke Park has become a reality for Ireland's most successful rugby team.
Leo Cullen was part of the last Leinster team to win in Croke Park. The win over Munster in the Champions Cup semi-final was a game that will live long in memory. However, for this current generation of Leinster players, this is a new experience.
Byrne, who knows a thing or two about GAA because of his former allegiances to Dublin GAA club side Kilmacud Crokes, never got to play in Croke Park, admits that rugby always came first in the sporting pecking order in his household, but also claims that Saturday can be a special day for many of the Leinster players making their Croke Park debuts.
“It was always very secondary [to rugby]. I kind of got dragged into it by accident, to be honest," he said this week.
“I never got to play at Croke Park, unfortunately, but I’ve been there a fair few times.
“It’s some stadium; obviously, it’s such an iconic stadium in this country. With it selling out so fast as well, hopefully, it’s a very special day.”
🚉🚌🚲🚶
Looking to get to @CrokePark this Saturday?
Additional public transport options have been confirmed ahead of the @ChampionsCup Semi-Final
Read here 👉 https://t.co/ItYLK9xmlJ#LEIvNOR #FromTheGroundUp pic.twitter.com/XNVrnfcoHb— Leinster Rugby (@leinsterrugby) May 2, 2024
Leinster have won 9 out of their last 10 meetings in the Champions Cup, with a defeat against La Rochelle in last year's final being the only blotch on their copybook.
The Irish province is expected to overcome the Northampton Saints this weekend. However, Byrne, being the ultimate professional he is, isn't counting his chickens just yet and is paying Northampton the respect they deserve.
“They’ve been brilliant. They’re not at the top of the Premiership for no reason," he added.
“As a club, they've got a great history, and at the moment they’re playing great stuff, so it’s going to be a seriously tough challenge.
“Obviously, we pay attention to what they do. I suppose we’re covering all areas. We know they’re going to throw things at us that we’ve never seen, so we’re just trying to prepare ourselves as best as possible.”
Leinster Rugby takes on the Northampton Saints in the semi-finals of the Champions Cup at Croke Park on Saturday, May 4th, at 17:30.
