Leo Cullen name's Leinster's first team of the season for URC opener against Stormers
Jimmy O'Brien and Sam Prendergast (pictured with fellow Kildare man Jamie Osborne as they celebrated their 2025 URC victory) have been named in Leinster's starting 15 for their URC opener away to Stormers this Friday (Sep 26). Photo: ©INPHO/Ben Brady
Leo Cullen has named his first 23 of the season as Leinster begin the defence of their BTK United Rugby Championship (URC) title tomorrow night (Friday, September 26) against the Stormers.
Sam Prendergast will partner Luke McGrath at half back, with the veteran scrum half named as captain. Jimmy O'Brien will be looking to nail down the Leinster 15 jersey with Hugo Keenan on the shelf - with O'Brien's fellow Kildare man, Jamie Osborne, also a contender for the Leinster (and Ireland) full back spot in Keenan's absence.
There is an interesting pair in midfield with Ciaran Frawley partnering Robbie Henshaw. In the pack, meanwhile, an already young group of forwards will become even younger once the replacements come on as young Academy prop Andrew Sparrow is in line for his debut off the bench
The game will be played in Cape Town and kicks off at 6pm Irish time (7pm local time) with live coverage on on TG4 and Premier Sports 1.
South African side Stormers won the URC in 2022 and reached the final again the following year. They finished in 5th place last season before losing out to Glasgow Warriors in the quarter-finals.
Leo Cullen's men go into the game as favourites with both teams having to prepare without their internationals.
Leinster travel Pretoria next week to play the side they beat in last year's final, the Bulls, in Loftus Versfeld.
Leinster's first home game of the campaign will also be against South African opposition when they welcome the Sharks to Aviva Stadium on Saturday, October 11.
Then comes the first Irish derby of the season when Leinster face Munster in a mouthwatering clash at Croke Park on Saturday, October 18.
Jimmy O'Brien; Tommy O'Brien, Robbie Henshaw, Ciarán Frawley, Jordan Larmour; Sam Prendergast, Luke McGrath; Jack Boyle, Gus McCarthy, Rabah Slimani; Diarmuid Mangan, Brian Deeny; Ryan Baird, Scott Penny, James Culhane.
John McKee, Paddy McCarthy, Andrew Sparrow, Max Deegan, Will Connors, Fintan Gunne, Harry Byrne, Hugh Cooney.
