Chance for Leinster’s young stars to shine in URC opener against Lions

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.

Those modi operandi are common knowledge. Leinster head coach Leo Cullen said: “They’re very, very dangerous on turnovers, and they will try to push the pace of the game. They tend to try to run teams off their feet.”