Carlow hooker Smyth named in Leinster squad for trip to South Africa
Carlow's Stephen Smyth has been named in the Leinster squad for the trip to South Africa where he will be hoping to add to the four caps he has already won for the province. Photo: INPHO/Grace Halton
Leinster Head Coach Leo Cullen has named a 41-man squad to head to South Africa for the opening two rounds of the BKT United Rugby Championship.
Carlow's Stephen Smyth has been named in the squad and will be hoping to add to the four caps he has already won for the province.
Smyth will have plenty of competition for the number 2 and 16 jerseys, however, with fellow hookers, Rónan Kelleher, Gus McCarthy - both Irish internationals - also named in the squad.
Smyth was back home in Oak Park recently working with the County Carlow FC players ahead of the beginning of their Leinster League campaign this weekend.
After successfully defending their URC title last June, Leinster kick off the 2026/27 season against the Lions at Ellis Park, Johannesburg, on Saturday, September 26th, before travelling to Kings Park, Durban, to take on the Sharks on Saturday, October 3rd.
Leo Cullen, who is beginning his final year in charge of the province, said he is "pleased to announce an exciting squad that will represent Leinster rugby in South Africa," adding that it would be "a great opportunity for some of the younger players, that acquitted themselves really well in pre-season, to test themselves in the home of the Rugby World Cup Champions."
Ryan Baird, Thomas Clarkson, Jack Conan, Max Deegan, Brian Deeny, Peter Dooley, Josh Ericson, Tadhg Furlong, Rónan Kelleher, Gus McCarthy, Joe McCarthy, Dylan McNeice, Conor O'Tighearnaigh, Scott Penny, Andrew Porter, James Ryan, Dan Sheehan, Niall Smyth, Stephen Smyth, Alan Spicer, Alex Usanov Josh van der Flier.
Tadhg Brophy, Harry Byrne, Joey Carbery, Oliver Coffey, Hugh Cooney, Caspar Gabriel, Fintan Gunne, Robbie Henshaw, Hugo Keenan, Todd Lawlor, Ciarán Mangan, Hugo McLaughlin, Jimmy O'Brien, Tommy O'Brien, Andrew Osborne, Jamie Osborne, Sam Prendergast, Garry Ringrose, Charlie Tector.
