URC Champions Leinster name travelling squad for Rainbow Nation tour

Leinster have included the majority of their Ireland internationals in the 41-man squad that will head to South Africa for the opening two rounds of the BKT United Rugby Championship.

Jack Conan is the most-capped Leinster player in the group with 180 appearances for the province, and the No.8 is joined by the likes of back-row colleagues Josh van Flier and Jack McCarthy, props Andrew Porter and Tadhg Furlong, hookers Dan Sheehan and Ronan Kelleher, lock James Ryan, fly-half San Prendergast, centres Robbie Henshaw and Garry Ringrose and back-three trio Hugo Keenan and Jimmy and Tommy O’Brien.

Scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park is one notable absentee.

Meanwhile, three uncapped Leinster players have made the trip in Tadhg Brophy, Dylan McNeice and Todd Lawlor, while new signings, Peter Dooley and Joey Carbery, could also start their second spells at the club whilst in South Africa.

Leinster begin their URC title defence against the Lions at Ellis Park, Johannesburg, on 26 September, before taking on the Sharks at Kings Park in Durban the following Saturday.

“With the new season upon us we are particularly pleased to announce an exciting squad that will represent Leinster rugby in South Africa for our BKT URC opening two rounds,” head coach Leo Cullen said, as he prepares to embark on his final season in charge.

“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, Johannesburg and the Sharks in Durban.

“It will be a great opportunity, however, 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.”

Leinster Rugby travelling squad (Leinster caps in brackets)

Forwards

Ryan Baird (90)
Thomas Clarkson (80)
Jack Conan (180)
Max Deegan (161)
Brian Deeny (53)
Peter Dooley (104)
Josh Ericson (2)
Tadhg Furlong (167)
Rónan 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)

Backs

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)