URC champions Leinster have named a strong 41-man squad for their opening two matches in South Africa.
This is in sharp contrast to the group that was selected at the start of last season. Leinster were without all 14 of their Ireland internationals for last year’s corresponding tour, returning with just one point from matches against the Stormers and Bulls.
This time, head coach Leo Cullen has included 15 players who featured in Ireland’s opening Nations Championship match in Australia and New Zealand in July. The only exception is scrumhalf Jamison Gibson-Park.
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Fit-again prop Andrew Porter has also been included, along with new signings Peter Dooley and Joey Carbery. Uncapped trio Tadhg Brophy, Dylan McNeice and Todd Lawlor are also part of the travelling squad.
Leinster will begin their title defence against the Lions at Ellis Park in Johannesburg next Saturday before heading to Durban to face the Sharks a week later.
The squad includes a wealth of international experience, with the forwards featuring the likes of Tadhg Furlong, Rónan Kelleher, James Ryan, Andrew Porter, Jack Conan and Josh van der Flier. Among the backs are Carbery, Harry Byrne, Robbie Henshaw, Hugo Keenan, Jimmy O’Brien, Tommy O’Brien and Andrew Osborne.
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Leinster touring squad
Ryan Baird, Thomas Clarkson, Jack Conan, Max Deegan, Brian Deeny, Peter Dooley, Josh Ericson, Tadhg Furlong, Rónan Kelleher, Gus McCarthy, Joe McCarthy, Dylan McNeice, Conor O’Tighearnaigh, Scott Penny, Andrew Porter, James Ryan, Dan Sheehan, Niall Smyth, Stephen Smyth, Alan Spicer, Alex Usanov, Josh van der Flier, Tadhg Brophy, Harry Byrne, Joey Carbery, Oliver Coffey, Hugh Cooney, Caspar Gabriel, Fintan Gunne, Robbie Henshaw, Hugo Keenan, Todd Lawlor, Ciarán Mangan, Hugo McLaughlin, Jimmy O’Brien, Tommy O’Brien, Andrew Osborne.
The time has come to head to South Africa
Take a peak at our traveling squad! pic.twitter.com/SZJTHDmJur
— Leinster Rugby (@leinsterrugby) September 18, 2026
Photo: @leinsterrugby/X
The post Leinster bring big guns to SA appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
URC champions Leinster have named a strong 41-man squad for their opening two matches in South Africa.
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