John McKee to Captain Leinster as Larmour, Henshaw & Byrne Return for Cardiff Clash
Leinster Rugby face Cardiff Rugby in a Bank of Ireland Pre-Season Friendly at Tallaght Stadium (KO 3pm). Tickets remain available.
Match Preview & Key Storylines
- Captaincy: Hooker John McKee leads the side at Tallaght.
- Big Returns: Jordan Larmour and Robbie Henshaw are back after injury lay-offs.
- Playmaker Watch: Harry Byrne pulls on the blue jersey after a loan spell with Bristol Bears.
- Fan Engagement: Returning British & Irish Lions will attend and join a post-match signing session.
- South Africa Tour Looms: This is the squad’s only pre-season hit-out before the BKT URC opener away to the DHL Stormers.
Confirmed Leinster Rugby XV
| # | Player | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 15 | Hugo McLaughlin | Full-back |
| 14 | Jordan Larmour | Right Wing |
| 13 | Hugh Cooney | Outside Centre |
| 12 | Charlie Tector | Inside Centre |
| 11 | Andrew Osborne | Left Wing |
| 10 | Harry Byrne | Out-half |
| 9 | Fintan Gunne | Scrum-half |
| 1 | Paddy McCarthy | Loosehead Prop |
| 2 | John McKee (C) | Hooker |
| 3 | Andrew Sparrow | Tighthead Prop |
| 4 | Brian Deeny | Lock |
| 5 | Diarmuid Mangan | Lock |
| 6 | Alex Soroka | Blindside Flanker |
| 7 | Will Connors | Openside Flanker |
| 8 | James Culhane | No. 8 |
Replacements (from)
Match-day bench to be confirmed from the following wider squad:
- Alex Usanov, Jerry Cahir, Stephen Smyth, Niall Smyth, Rabah Slimani
- Billy Corrigan, Mahon Ronan, Conor O’Tighearnaigh, Liam Molony
- Scott Penny, Cormac Foley, Caspar Gabriel, Ciarán Mangan
- Ciarán Frawley, Robbie Henshaw, Joshua Kenny, Ruben Moloney, Henry McErlean
FAQs
Will there be a signing session? Yes — the returning British & Irish Lions will take part in a post-match signing session for supporters.
Is this the only pre-season game? Yes, this is Leinster’s sole pre-season fixture before departing for South Africa and the BKT United Rugby Championship opener.
Who is captain? John McKee will captain the team from hooker.
