GOW' TIME

Blues on red alert after semi-final heartache hat-trick

- BY DEREK FOLEY

LEINSTER will have to avoid the pressure trap against Glasgow Warriors in the URC semi-final at The Aviva today.

The Blues have lost three consecutive URC semi-finals by a point, a point and five respectively.

But it is fair to suggest a squad with 12 Lions, three highly rated foreigners and another dozen chosen to tour with Ireland this summer have only themselves to fear.

But that's not the full story as Leinster manager Leo Cullen finds himself dealing with the growing 'noises off' as much as what's happening centre stage.

As for the main actors, Hugo Keenan has pulled out with a calf strain, which sees Jimmy O'Brien moving to No15 and a fit-again Tommy O'Brien brought on to the right wing.

Scott Penny deputises for Josh van der Flier, as he did for an last hour last week.

Tommy O'Brien was Leinster's in-form late-in-the-season back, while spare a thought for Penny who was the glaring overlook when the Ireland squad was named midweek.

Penny will hardly lack for motivation.

"To be honest, I was more focused on trying to prepare the group, no offence to Scott," said Cullen of a player who will be watching 15 Leinster players touring this summer — and it would have been 17 but for the injuries suffered by Will Connors and Caelan Doris.

"Scott has 86 appearances for Leinster and I hope he goes well, and he just needs to be ready and play well and focus on that.