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Leinster head coach Leo Cullen will hope to add up to four Test players to his arsenal as they go after a first win of the campaign on the second leg of the province’s South African tour next week.
Leinster avoided another start-of-season duck in South Africa last week, but head coach Leo Cullen has dispelled any suggestion that he was pleased with earning two points from their narrow opening URC defeat to the Lions.
Leinster will play both of their home pool matches in this season’s Champions Cup at the Laya Arena.
Chalk and cheese compared to last year’s URC kick-off in South Africa, with Leinster leaving Johannesburg for Durban with two precious losing bonus points secured in the dying moments. The comprehensive 35-0 defeat to the Stormers set the tone for a poor start to last season and was on Leo Cullen’s mind as he plotted for his final campaign in charge.
Ellis Park, where opponents can get dizzy spells and it’s nothing to do with a lack of oxygen playing at altitude, rather the chasing and being chased from first to last whistle. The Lions don’t offer much down time to catch a breath. There is a zip to their patterns, a commitment to put the ball through the hands and move it to width when apposite. They don’t shy away from a bit of bosh.
One of Irish rugby’s most intriguing subplots will bubble closer to the surface on Saturday when 20-year old Caspar Gabriel is handed his first senior start for Leinster.
In confirming that Caelan Doris will continue to captain Leinster this season, Leo Cullen has also cast further doubt on the player’s recuperation from surgery in time to lead Ireland in their concluding Nations Championship campaign this November.
Retaining the United Rugby Championship (URC) title last season was a special achievement that will only be outdone if Leinster complete a three-peat next June before Leo Cullen rides off into the sunset.