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Leinster name 13 internationals in starting XV for Stormers
By Ian Cameron
Leinster have named 13 full internationals in their starting XV to face the DHL Stormers in Cape Town on Friday.
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It’s a strong Leo Cullen’s selection despite their British & Irish Lions contingent still being unavailable for selection.
The defending champions begin their 2025/26 BKT United Rugby Championship campaign in their first competitive outing since defeating the Vodacom Bulls at Croke Park in last season’s final.
Skipper Luke McGrath partners Sam Prendergast at half-back.
Robbie Henshaw and Ciarán Frawley start in midfield, while Jordan Larmour returns from injury to join Tommy O’Brien on the wings. Jimmy O’Brien also returns at full-back.
In the pack, Jack Boyle and Rabah Slimani start either side of Gus McCarthy in the front row. Diarmuid Mangan and Brian Deeny are paired in the second row, while Ryan Baird, Scott Penny and James Culhane form the back row.
On the bench, Academy prop Andrew Sparrow is in line to make his senior debut. Harry Byrne, back from a loan spell with Bristol Bears, provides cover at fly-half. Max Deegan and Will Connors add further experience among the forward replacements.
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Despite the absence of their Lions players, Leinster field a line-up that contains international experience across 13 of the 15 starting positions.
“It’s always nice coming back to Cape Town. My family is here,” said Jacques Nienaber earlier in the week. “I spent six years at the DHL Stormers. It’s a club that was good to me and that I learned a lot from. It gave me a lot of joy and a lot of good memories.
“They will be very determined. We will have to fight for it, and we will have to go to the gutters for it.
“Not many teams come over here and get a result at the DHL Stormers. They are a very tough team, especially here in Cape Town, with the crowd that they get.
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“They are one of the best supported teams within the country. I am sure it’s going to be a massive atmosphere on Friday night and one that we are certainly looking forward to.”
Leinster team to play DHL Stormers:
15. Jimmy O’Brien
14. Tommy O’Brien
13. Robbie Henshaw
12. Ciarán Frawley
11. Jordan Larmour
10. Sam Prendergast
9. Luke McGrath (captain)
1. Jack Boyle
2. Gus McCarthy
3. Rabah Slimani
4. Diarmuid Mangan
5. Brian Deeny
6. Ryan Baird
7. Scott Penny
8. James Culhane
Replacements:
16. John McKee
17. Paddy McCarthy
18. Andrew Sparrow
19. Max Deegan
20. Will Connors
21. Fintan Gunne
22. Harry Byrne
23. Hugh Cooney
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