URC fixtures list: Leinster start campaign with a trip to South Africa

URC champions Leinster will begin the defence of their title in South Africa, as they did last season, this time with games against the Lions in Johannesburg followed by a trip to the coast where they will play the Sharks in Durban.

Leo Cullen’s side will hope for a better trip than last season when they lost two matches, albeit without their frontline players. They have travelled with a strong squad this time, including 15 players who took part in Ireland’s opening Nations Championship games in Australia and New Zealand.