DESPITE THE ENFORCED withdrawals of Isa Nacewa and Jamison Gibson-Park due to visa issues, Leinster head coach Leo Cullen has been able to name a strong side for tomorrow’s Guinness Pro14 clash with Southern Kings in Port Elizabeth [KO 1.15pm, TG4].
Cullen has included 11 Ireland internationals in his starting line-up, with four more on the bench, as Leinster prepare to make a little bit of history by playing in the first Pro14 fixture on South African soil.
The main talking point in the province’s selection is that Jordi Murphy has been included in the back row. The 26-year-old flanker hasn’t played since rupturing his anterior cruciate knee ligament in Ireland’s win against New Zealand in Chicago last November.
Leinster:
15. Joey Carbery
14. Adam Byrne
13. Rory O’Loughlin
12. Noel Reid
11. Dave Kearney
10. Ross Byrne
9. Luke McGrath
1. Ed Byrne
2. Seán Cronin
3. Andrew Porter
4. Ross Molony
5. James Ryan
6. Rhys Ruddock (captain)
7. Jordi Murphy
8. Jack Conan
Replacements:
16. James Tracy
17. Cian Healy
18. Michael Bent
19. Mick Kearney
20. Josh van der Flier
21. Nick McCarthy
22. Cathal Marsh
23. Jordan Larmour
Southern Kings:
15. Masixole Banda
14. Yaw Penxe
13. Berton Klaasen
12. Luzuko Vulindlu
11. Sibusiso Sithole
10. Kurt Coleman
9. Rudi van Rooyen
1. Schalk Ferreira
2. Micheal Willemse
3. Luvuyo Pupuma
4. Stephan Greeff
5. Dries van Schalkwyk
6. Khaya Majola
7. Victor Sekekete
8. Andisa Ntsila
Replacements:
16. Stephan Coetzee
17. Petrus Strauss
18. Martin Dreyer
19. Bobby de Wee
20. Siyabulela Mdaka
21. Godlen Masimla
22. Ntabeni Dukisa/Oliver Zono
23. Jacques Nel
