Ringrose: Midfield partner 'doesn't change anything'

Leinster Rugby centre Garry Ringrose says it doesn’t matter who he is paired with in midfield after Robbie Henshaw was ruled out of today’s Heineken Champions Cup semi-final against Stade Toulousain in Dublin with a quad injury.

EPCR Player of the Year nominee Ringrose was likely to start next to Henshaw, but he will now line up alongside Charlie Ngatai in Leinster’s starting XV for only the third time this season.

Although Henshaw’s absence is a blow to him and Leinster, the partnership of Ringrose and Ngatai have enjoyed success in this season’s Heineken Champions Cup, starting in the pool stage victories over Racing 92 (42-10) and Gloucester Rugby (57-0).

Ringrose asserted that any of the Irish province’s centre options could have slid into the role and hailed the experience of New Zealander Ngatai, who joined from Lyon last summer after winning the EPCR Challenge Cup.

“It was disappointing for Robbie when he went down and was told he was going to miss out, because of what he can bring and what he does bring, and no doubt would have brought on the day.

“There’s no better man than Charlie to step up. He’s been itching to get back. He’s a big game player, he has a tonne of experience and from when he found out he was playing, you could notice the energy and the excitement he was bringing.

TEAMS ARE OUT ????

And just look at the match ups ????

Who has the better starting XV, @leinsterrugby or @StadeToulousain?#HeinekenChampionsCup match day squads ➡️ https://t.co/TAY8skUcGV pic.twitter.com/KnKQoIhwfr

— Heineken Champions Cup (@ChampionsCup) April 28, 2023

“From my perspective it doesn’t change anything. We have a bit of routine in the centres through the week, we all bounce off each other.

“It shows the expectation we have on each other, no matter who it is. When you’re a part of the group, there’s a standard you have to uphold.

“We’re all rowing in the same direction to try and deliver on the day. I think depth has always been a strength of Leinster’s.”

Ringrose also explained that teammates missing out through injury is one of many motivating factors for Leinster at the Aviva Stadium today.

“There’s so many different motivators at play,” he said. “You want to do the whole group proud because that’s what it is, a group effort.

“To put another star on the jersey, it’s almost hard to put into words what that means motivation-wise. Then playing against Toulouse who have done that, it’s as big of an occasion as it gets.

“Everyone is unbelievably excited by the challenge.”

One player who is ruled out through injury is influential captain and fly-half Johnny Sexton, who was key to all four of Leinster’s EPCR crowns.

Ringrose revealed that the veteran Ireland international has been involved in this week’s preparations – something the squad is hugely grateful for.

“He was speaking earlier on in the week, and he’s still involved in meeting,” he said. “Surprisingly, he’d still be humble enough to maybe not speak sometimes, because he might think it’s not his place.

It’s Semi-Final prediction time ????

Leinster Rugby ???? Stade Toulousain @Oval_Insights believe the match will go the same way as last year, a @LeinsterRugby victory. Do you agree? ????#HeinekenChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/H06qDMja1a

— Heineken Champions Cup (@ChampionsCup) April 28, 2023

“But we always ask him if there’s anything he’s seen that we’re missing, and usually there is with how he reads the game. He sees stuff other lads don’t.

“He’s someone who is a big game player and in these weeks, he’s a good person to ask what it takes to win because he’s seen it all, been there and done that.”

Although Leinster thrashed Toulouse 40-17 in Dublin last season’s semi-finals, Ringrose says that victory is not in the forefront of their thoughts leading into this year’s re-run, which he sees as one of the toughest games of his career.

“I wouldn’t necessarily reflect on last year,” he commented. “It’s a clean slate again and we operate week-to-week, let alone thinking about last year.

“A roulette wheel doesn’t have a memory and we’re down to play a team with five stars on their jersey, an unbelievably talented group. Clearly, a group with a strong identity and culture.

“I’d say the same things about us, minus the fifth star. It as big of an occasion I would have played in, no doubt it will be as tough of a challenge as I’ve faced.”