Lions vs Leinster preview: Leo Cullen hands new faces chance to shine ahead of URC opener

After what seemed like a very long wait for club rugby to return, the URC is finally back as the opening round kicks off tonight at 7.45pm.

Last year, after the end of the domestic, international and European season, Leinster fans were delighted to be able to watch their club stars make up the majority bulk in the British & Irish Lions tour to Australia.

A tour that ended in victory for the tourists at the hand of Leinster’s very own Hugo Keenan who sealed the deal in the second Test.

Perhaps this is why this break seems even longer this year, but the wait is finally over as Leinster open their campaign by sending an intimidating 41-man squad, loaded with 17 internationals for Saturday’s clash against Lions.

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Different roles

Leo Cullen is out to make a statement it seems during his last year in charge.

The decorated head coach announced his departure last year and the future of World Cup winner Jacques Nienaber remains uncertain as well.

As part of this 41-man squad, we see some faces returning from injury, including Tommy O’Brien, Ryan Baird and Andrew Porter have been selected to start in the opening round with the latter returning to his original role at tight-head.

Mick Linnane on The Leinster Listen podcast suggests that this move for Porter could be to help take the weight off Tadgh Furlong, who was vital with the British & Irish Lions tour to Australia last year.

The tight-head missed the opening game of last year’s Six Nations against France due to injury and rehabilitation.

Cullen is no stranger to utilising his players in different roles, such as Jack Conan and Josh van der Flier switching positions occasionally, van der Flier even taking up line out duties when required.

Garry Ringrose has been seen being lifted in the lineout and Keenan can slot in seamlessly anywhere in the back three.

Great talent

Fintan Gunne fills the boots of Jameson Gibson-Park, who did not travel to South Africa due to a groin injury and an important second cap is in store for fly-half Caspar Gabriel, who after impressive performances against Lyon and Zebre, gets the nod at No.10.

Three years ago in this exact fixture, Sam Prendergast secured his first cap and produced a match winning kick to help seal the deal in Johannesburg that provided the catalyst for an impressive career to be built upon.

Maybe Cullen is thinking the same for Gabriel?

He was full of praise for the 20-year-old, saying: “He’s an incredibly skilful young man, and he’s tough as well, tough bit of stuff.

“Hopefully you see that in his performance and he goes out and is himself and plays the game the way he sees it because he is a great talent.”

First caps

Max Deegan wears the captain’s arm band once again and will be hoping for another win in South Africa.

Last year he captained the side that beat the Sharks in Durban before hurling himself into a nearby pitch side pool to celebrate.

In line to receive their first caps is Todd Lawlor, who starts at full-back and will be filling the role of full-back in Keenan’s absence, whilst keenly waiting on the bench is second row lock Dylan McNeice.

With so many players to choose from, I think it’s great Cullen is still using the experience to blood new players into the squad and hone their skills whilst still providing support with a sprinkling of senior capped players to help them on their way.

The inclusion of South African teams into this tournament has improved the URC enormously and catapulted it into the forefront of rugby fans worldwide.

However, it comes at a cost of four very tough South African games.

But that could be the perfect way to blood new players in, much like Prendergast three years ago.

Leinster team to face Lions (number of caps provided by Leinster Rugby)

Leinster: 15 Todd Lawlor (0); 14 Tommy O’Brien (62), 13 Hugh Cooney (13), 12 Charlie Tector (27), 11 Andrew Osborne (20); 10 Caspar Gabriel (1), 9 Fintan Gunne (33); 1 Alex Usanov (10), 2 Gus McCarthy (31), 3 Andrew Porter (150), 4 Ryan Baird (90), 5 Conor O’Tighearnaigh (11), 6 Max Deegan (161, capt), 7 Scott Penny (106), 8 Josh Ericson (2).

Replacements: 16 Stephen Smyth (4), 17 Peter Dooley (104), 18 Niall Smyth (2), 19 Brian Deeney (53), 20 Dylan McNeice (0), 21 Oliver Coffey (2), 22 Harry Byrne (94), 23 Ciarán Mangan (2).

Referee: Ben Breakspear (WRU).

READ MORE: URC preview: Leinster aim to defend their crown as Welsh clubs face a fight for survival