It's a scrappy opening for both sides while there is some concern for Leinster captain James Ryan. However, the big second row looks to be ok.

We are underway at a noisy Loftus Versfeld as the hosts get us underway on Sam Grove-White's whistle.

The venue for the URC final depends on results in both semi-finals.

If Leinster win and Glasgow beat Munster in the other semi-final, Leinster will face Glasgow at Croke Park in the final on 22 June. If Leinster and Munster both win, the final will be at Thomond Park.

Developing the women's game in Ireland is a priority for the Irish Rugby Football Union [IRFU] according to its new strategic plan launched on Thursday.

The plan which runs from 2024 to 2028, has set out five areas in which to improve different aspects of the women's game.

These include a focus on the grassroots game, creating winning teams, leadership and governance, investment and revenue as well as a change in visibility and engagement.

According to the IRFU, a new women’s strategy implementation lead will be appointed by the end of 2024 to oversee the delivery of these aims.

"We are going to recruit a senior women's lead that reports directly to me, to bring all of the strands of the women’s game together," Potts told reporters at the Aviva Stadium on Thursday.

Read more here.

Image source, Inpho

Fit-again Ireland centre Garry Ringrose will make his Leinster return against the Bulls.

Ringrose, who has played once since January (for Ireland in the Six Nations) because of a shoulder problem, replaces Jamie Osborne in Leinster's only change from last week's quarter-final win over Ulster.

British and Irish Lions number eight Jack Conan has also recovered from injury and is named on the bench for the game in Pretoria.

Leinster: Jimmy O'Brien; Jordan Larmour, Garry Ringrose, Robbie Henshaw, James Lowe; Ross Byrne, Jamison Gibson-Park; Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong; Joe McCarthy, James Ryan (capt); Ryan Baird, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris

Replacements: Ronan Kelleher, Cian Healy, Michael Ala’alatoa, Ross Molony, Jack Conan, Luke McGrath, Ciarán Frawley, Jamie Osborne.

Image source, Getty Images

The Irish Rugby Football Union [IRFU] has ruled out the possibility of Ireland returning to play Test matches at Croke Park.

In May, the Investec Champions Cup semi-final between Leinster and Northampton sold out the 82,300-capacity stadium in approximately three hours.

Next season, Leinster will play their home matches at the 51,700-capacity Aviva Stadium and Croke while the RDS Arena undergoes regeneration works.

However, IRFU chief executive Kevin Potts says there are no plans for the home of the Gaelic Athletic Association [GAA] to host Ireland matches.

"So Croke Park, they did sell out in three hours which was actually remarkable, but I think we were all taken by that," said Potts.

Read more here.

Image source, Getty Images

Leinster produced a clinical display to beat Irish rivals Ulster 43-20 in the United Rugby Championship play-offs quarter-final in Dublin.

Tries from Robbie Henshaw and James Lowe helped the Aviva Stadium hosts to a 17-0 lead at half-time.

Lowe then completed his double before Dave McCann notched up Ulster's first try.

Jordan Larmour, Josh van der Flier and Ross Molony added further Leinster touchdowns with Stewart Moore and Michael Lowry going over for Ulster.

Good afternoon and welcome to our live text commentary of the United Rugby Championship semi-finals.

First up is Bulls v Leinster at 15:00 BST in Pretoria.

Leo Cullen's side won 47-14 in the last meeting between the two sides in Dublin earlier this season, but the Bulls are formidable on home soil and it will be the first trip to South Africa for much of the Leinster squad.

Then at 18:00 BST, the current holders Munster welcome Glasgow to Thomand Park as they look to continue their fine form and march towards another title.

Thanks for joining us - enjoy!

Image source, Getty Images