mens
United-rugby-championship
Leinster they included most of their own Ireland internationals in the 41-man squad that will head to South Africa for the first two rounds of the BKT United Rugby Championship.
Jack Conan is the top Leinster player in the group with 180 caps for the province, and the No.8 is joined by fellow back-row Josh van Flier and Jack McCarthy, props Andrew Porter and Tadhg Furlong, scrums Dan Sheehan and Ronan Kelleher, and lock Jamesn He Kelleher, lock Jamesn He Kelleher, lock Jamesn He Helnder, center Robert James. Garry Ringrose and the back-trio of Hugo Keenan and Jimmy and Tommy O’Brien.
Scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park is one notable absentee.
Meanwhile, three uncapped Leinster players have started in Tadhg Brophy, Dylan McNeice and Todd Lawlor, while new signings Peter Dooley and Joey Carbery could also begin their second spells at the club while in South Africa.
Leinster begin their title defense against URC Lions at Ellis Park, Johannesburg, on September 26, before he took over Sharks at Kings Park in Durban next Saturday.
“With the new season upon us, we are particularly pleased to announce an exciting squad to represent Leinster Rugby in South Africa for our BKT URC in the opening two rounds,” said head coach Leo Cullen, as he prepared to begin his final season in charge.
“After watching Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry and seeing South Africa win that three-match Test series, we realized what a tough challenge we had on our hands against the Lions in Ellis Park, Johannesburg and the Sharks in Durban.
“It will be a great opportunity for some of the younger players, who did very well in the pre-season, to try out at home. Rugby World Cup Champions.”
Leinster Rugby Traveling Squad (Leinster caps in brackets)
Forward
Ryan Baird (90)
Thomas Clarkson (80)
Jack Conan (180)
Max Deegan (161)
Brian Deeny (53)
Peter Dooley (104)
Josh Ericson (2)
Tadhg Furlong (167)
Ronan Kelleher (95)
Gus McCarthy (31)
Joe McCarthy (66)
Dylan McNeice (0)
Conor O’Tighearnaigh (11)
Scott Penny (106)
Andrew Porter (150)
James Ryan (112)
Dan Sheehan (89)
Niall Smyth (2)
Stephen Smyth (4)
Alan Spicer (2)
Alex Usanov (10)
Josh van der Flier (176)
The back
Tadhg Brophy (0)
Harry Byrne (94)
Joey Carbery (37)
Oliver Coffey (2)
Hugh Cooney (13)
Caspar Gabriel (1)
Fintan Gunne (33)
Robbie Henshaw (122)
Hugo Keenan (86)
Todd Lawlor (0)
Ciarán Mangan (2)
Hugo McLaughlin (2)
Jimmy O’Brien (120)
Tommy O’Brien (62)
Andrew Osborne (20)
Jamie Osborne (77)
Sam Prendergast (52)
Garry Ringrose (151)
Charlie Tector (27)