Leinster name 41-man squad for South Africa tour to open URC title defence

Leinster have named a 41-man squad for their trip to South Africa, where the URC champions will open their title defence against the Lions at Ellis Park, Johannesburg, on 26 September, before facing the Sharks at Kings Park in Durban the following Saturday.

The majority of Leinster’s Ireland internationals have been included, with Jack Conan — the most-capped player in the group at 180 appearances — joined by fellow back-rowers Josh van der Flier and Jack McCarthy. Props Andrew Porter and Tadhg Furlong, hookers Dan Sheehan and Rónan Kelleher, lock James Ryan, fly-half Sam Prendergast, centres Robbie Henshaw and Garry Ringrose, and back-three players Hugo Keenan, Jimmy O’Brien and Tommy O’Brien are also in the party. Scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park is a notable absentee.

Three uncapped players — Tadhg Brophy, Dylan McNeice and Todd Lawlor — have earned places in the travelling group. New signings Joey Carbery and Peter Dooley, both returning for second spells at the province, could feature from the outset on tour.

Head coach Leo Cullen, who is entering his final season in charge, acknowledged the scale of the task ahead. “Having watched Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry and seeing South Africa win that series three Tests to one, we understand how difficult a challenge we have on our hands in taking on the Lions at Ellis Park and the Sharks in Durban,” he said.

Cullen added that the tour presents a valuable opportunity for younger players who impressed during pre-season. “It will be a great opportunity for some of the younger players, that acquitted themselves really well in pre-season, to test themselves in the home of the Rugby World Cup Champions,” he said.

The two fixtures mark the start of Leinster’s bid to retain the URC title they won last season, with the South African legs of the competition traditionally regarded as among the most demanding assignments in European club rugby.