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Leinster Rugby Squad v Southern Kings

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Leinster Rugby Head Coach Leo Cullen and Scrumhalf Luke McGrath chat to www.MyPE.co.za ahead of their historic first Guinness Pro14 rugby game on South African soil against the Southern Kings at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth. Traveling is thwart with complications as Cullen explains why two players had to return to Ireland after landing in Johannesburg earlier this week.

Leinster Rugby Head Coach Leo Cullen has announced the match day 23 to take on the Southern Kings tomorrow afternoon in the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Round 3 of the Guinness PRO14 (Kick Off: 1.00pm (Irish Time) – live on TG4).

Cullen has also confirmed that Jamison Gibson-Park and Isa Nacewa returned to Dublin yesterday (Thursday) and have successfully applied for a visa from the South African Embassy. The two players will rejoin the squad on Sunday in Cape Town in preparation for the Round 4 game against the Toyota Cheetahs next Friday evening.

Cullen has been able to call upon the services of a number of Irish internationals that have returned from injury.

Joey Carbery has recovered to take up the full back slot for his first competitive outing of the season, with Adam Byrne on the right wing and Dave Kearney also returning from injury to make his first PRO14 start of the season on the left wing.

Noel Reid has recovered from a hand injury to start in his first game of the season with Rory O’Loughlin outside him in the 13 jersey.

Luke McGrath and Ross Byrne are the half back combination for the second week in a row.

In the pack Ed Byrne makes his first start in Leinster colours at loosehead prop. The Carlow native has had to overcome numerous injuries over the last few seasons which kept him out of the game between October 2014 and February 2017 but he will now earn his 10th cap from the start. The 24 year old made his debut in February 2014.

Beside Byrne is Seán Cronin at hooker and Andrew Porter at tighthead.

Ross Molony is involved for the first time this season at lock and beside him James Ryan gets his first ever start in Leinster colours having won two Irish caps during the summer tour to USA and Japan.

In the back row Rhys Ruddock captains the side with Jordi Murphy making his competitive return from an ACL injury that he picked up last November in the Ireland against New Zealand game in Chicago. Finally Jack Conan starts at No. 8 for the second week in a row.

On the bench Cian Healy will win his 175th cap for Leinster should he be introduced.

Leinster Rugby (Leinster caps in brackets):

15. Joey Carbery (23)
14. Adam Byrne (26)
13. Rory O’Loughlin (23)
12. Noel Reid (82)
11. Dave Kearney (111)
10. Ross Byrne (25)
9. Luke McGrath (76)
1. Ed Byrne (9)
2. Seán Cronin (130)
3. Andrew Porter (10)
4. Ross Molony (45)
5. James Ryan (1)
6. Rhys Ruddock (132) CAPTAIN
7. Jordi Murphy (86)
8. Jack Conan (53)

16. James Tracy (44)
17. Cian Healy (174)
18. Michael Bent (89)
19. Mick Kearney (22)
20. Josh van der Flier (48)
21. Nick McCarthy (9)
22. Cathal Marsh (20)
23. Jordan Larmour (2)

Referee: Ben Whitehouse (WRU)

Leo Cullen, Luke McGrath
Leinster Rugby Head Coach Leo Cullen and Scrumhalf Luke McGrath
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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.