Leinster Rugby's United Rugby Championship title defense begins in familiar territory against a 10bet Lions team that the defending champions sent home from the playoffs just a few months ago.
The Lions reached the URC playoffs for the first time last season, but their breakthrough campaign ended emphatically with a 59-10 quarterfinal loss to Leinster. Leinster went on to retain the championship, beating the Vodacom Bulls 36-7 in the Grand Final. The Lions have won only one of their six URC meetings with Leinster, but that lone victory came at Ellis Park in 2024.
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That makes Johannesburg an intriguing place for Leinster to begin another title chase. The champions have won just once on their last eight visits to South Africa. They will also give uncapped Todd Lawlor a start at fullback, while Dylan McNeice could make his Leinster debut from the bench. Max Deegan captains the visitors, while Francke Horne leads the Lions.
10bet Lions vs. Leinster Rugby Kickoff Time, Lineups
The 10bet Lions and Leinster Rugby kick off at 7:30 a.m. ET on Saturday, Sept. 26, at 10bet Ellis Park in Johannesburg, South Africa, in Round 1 of the 2026-27 URC season.
How To Watch 10bet Lions vs. Leinster Rugby
The 10bet Lions vs. Leinster Rugby will stream live on FloRugby and the FloSports app in the United States as Leinster begins its defense of the URC championship.
10bet Lions Lineup vs. Leinster Rugby
Starting XV
Boan Venter
PJ Botha
Sebastian de Klerk
Etienne Oosthuizen
Ruan Delport
Siba Mahashe
Batho Hlekani
Francke Horne (c)
Nico Steyn
Chris Smith
Erich Cronje
Richard Kriel
Henco van Wyk
Kelly Mpeku
Boeta Chamberlain
Replacements
Morne Brandon
SJ Kotze
RF Schoeman
Hyron Andrews
Siba Qoma
JC Pretorius
Zian Cilliers
Ethan Adams
Leinster Rugby Lineup vs. 10bet Lions
Starting XV
Alex Usanov
Gus McCarthy
Andrew Porter
Ryan Baird
Conor O'Tighearnaigh
Max Deegan (c)
Scott Penny
Josh Ericson
Fintan Gunne
Caspar Gabriel
Andrew Osborne
Charlie Tector
Hugh Cooney
Tommy O'Brien
Todd Lawlor
Replacements
Stephen Smyth
Peter Dooley
Niall Smyth
Brian Deeney
Dylan McNeice
Oliver Coffey
Harry Byrne
Ciarán Mangan
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