Eight Kildare men named in Leinster squad for trip to South Africa
Joey Carbery has returned to Leinster, with Leo Cullen naming the versatile Athy man in the 41-strong Leinster squad heading down to South Africa. Photo: INPHO/Grace Halton
Leinster Head Coach Leo Cullen has named a 41-man squad to head to South Africa for the opening two rounds of the BKT United Rugby Championship.
Eight of the squad are from Kildare - all of whom play in the backs. This includes the uncapped duo of Naas scrum half, Tadhg Brophy, and former Newbridge College man, Todd Lawlor, who made his senior debut in last week's pre-season friendly.
There are also two familiar faces making their return to the province, including Athy utility back, Joey Carbery, returning to the province after spells at Munster and Bordeaux-Bégles.
The other five Kildare players in the squad who will be competing with one another for a place on the pitch down in South Africa are Irish internationals Sam Prendergast, Jamie Osborne and Jimmy O'Brien, as well as Andrew Osborne, Ciaran Mangan.
After successfully defending their URC title last June, Leinster kick off the 2026/27 season against the Lions at Ellis Park, Johannesburg, on Saturday, September 26th, before travelling to Kings Park, Durban, to take on the Sharks on Saturday, October 3rd.
Leo Cullen, who is beginning his final year in charge of the province, said he is "pleased to announce an exciting squad that will represent Leinster rugby in South Africa," adding that it would be "a great opportunity 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."
Ryan Baird, Thomas Clarkson, Jack Conan, Max Deegan, Brian Deeny, Peter Dooley, Josh Ericson, Tadhg Furlong, Rónan Kelleher, Gus McCarthy, Joe McCarthy, Dylan McNeice, Conor O'Tighearnaigh, Scott Penny, Andrew Porter, James Ryan, Dan Sheehan, Niall Smyth, Stephen Smyth, Alan Spicer, Alex Usanov Josh van der Flier.
Tadhg Brophy, Harry Byrne, Joey Carbery, Oliver Coffey, Hugh Cooney, Caspar Gabriel, Fintan Gunne, Robbie Henshaw, Hugo Keenan, Todd Lawlor, Ciarán Mangan, Hugo McLaughlin, Jimmy O'Brien, Tommy O'Brien, Andrew Osborne, Jamie Osborne, Sam Prendergast, Garry Ringrose, Charlie Tector.
