Leinster name strong squad for season opening two-match tour to South Africa

In sharp contrast to their opening two URC games at the start of last season, Leinster will travel to South Africa this Saturday with a 41-man squad for their initial two games away to the Lions and Sharks.

Whereas Leinster were missing all 14 of their Lions contingent for the corresponding trek last year when returning with one point from their two games against the Stormers and Bulls, Leo Cullen has named 15 players who took part in Ireland’s opening Nations Championship game in Australia and New Zealand last summer. The one exception is Jamison Gibson-Park.