Leinster Rugby v Dragons

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They say a week is a long time in anything, and sport is no exception. However when it has been almost 15 months since the RDS last heard the roar of the faithful Leinster Blue – well that’s practically a lifetime for some! We have been extremely privileged and lucky over the last number of years that the end of the season has been one of celebration of a job well done and another trophy added to the cabinet. The end of this season is slightly different in that although there won’t be a Rainbow Cup title to challenge for, there is equal joy in Leinster being able to take to the field for the final game in front of fans. Actual fans, 1,200 of them to be exact and what an occasion this will be! Covid-19 has (and continues) to be a trying time on us all but from a sporting point of view, we have seen the impact this has had on stadia and players. Players play for the love of the game as well as the adoration and joy they bring to supporters and not having them at fixtures has been telling where you can see the atmosphere just isn’t what it should be. Friday, 28 February, 2020 was the last time we crossed through the turnstiles of the RDS and on that evening we defeated last week’s opponents Glasgow. A trip to South Africa and then back to the RDS against Zebre was how the season was planned, but we all know what happened next in terms of, well just about everything. Now after what has been a long road for all concerned (Leinster Rugby and fans alike) this evening’s fixture against Dragons is akin to a final! Fans are returning to the RDS and get to roar out both teams to the pitch. Both teams will be looking to end what has been a very long season on a high before some players look to summer tours with the British and Irish Lions as well as their respective international sides whilst others look to just take a well-deserved break and relax with friends and family. In the 2020/21 Guinness PRO14, we faced off against tonight’s opponents twice and both times secured victory. Round 1 in October saw us secure a 35-5 victory at home in the RDS while the return fixture in Round 12 of the competition in February of this year, saw us again secure victory over in Rodney Parade but on a much tighter score-line of 35-29. The Rainbow Cup has seen both of us play four times with Leinster winning two and losing two while Dragons are one win and four losses. Form should never be taken for granted and you can be sure that for the last game of the season and especially one in front of a crowd, both will be looking to end on a high so we’re expecting some top notch end-toend action here. The end of the season whilst a welcome relief for some is also tinged with sadness for others and this season is no exception as we bid farewell to two generals of the Leinster game. Scott Fardy and Michael Bent announced their retirement earlier in the season and we do hope that the fans can show them the respect and appreciation both deserve. While other players were off on international duty, Scott and Michael carried many a team performance and ground out vital wins where necessary and this is often a hard feat to achieve and for this we can only say ‘Thank You’. The current OLSC Committee will also be wrapping up at the end of this season as, with brighter lights ahead of us, and the beginning of the return to games, it’s time for a new committee to take the reins and work with both supporters and Leinster Rugby alike to continue to grow the OLSC both at home and abroad. We would like to take the opportunity to thank all at Leinster Rugby for their support and guidance throughout the last two seasons. You know who you are and it’s unfair to name individuals as all continue to work tirelessly to bring supporters the game we love so well. None of us ever imagined it would be so long before we returned to the RDS but the clouds have lifted, the rain has cleared and the sky is once again BLUE!! If you’re in attendance tonight, please adhere to all guidelines and be mindful of others also, this is a big step for us all but it’s a step in the right direction. The OLSC will be on-hand to assist around the stadium and we, and all the staff at the RDS, ask for your patience as we all learn to navigate in these circumstances. We do ask though that once the teams take to the pitch, scream yourself hoarse as the boost the players will get will be like nothing we have seen before!! Be loud, be true, be BLUE. OLSC Committee From The Ground Up | 54 | www.leinsterrugby.ie
OFFICIAL LEINSTER SUPPORTERS CLUB ONLINE SHOP The Official Leinster Supporters Club are delighted to announce that we have now launched our online shop. Our range of supporter items include: ° FACEMASK ° ° CAR STICKER ° LANYARD ° ° PIN ° BLANKET ° ° BRACELET ° ° BAG FOR LIFE ° ° POP SOCKET ° ° REFILLABLE HAND SANITISER KEEP CUP HIP FLASK BLUE WIG LUGGAGE TAG PENCIL CASE GIFT CARD 12 county army SHOP NOW OFFICIAL LEINSTER SUPPORTERS CLUB #SEA OF BLUE
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Leinster Rugby v Dragons

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