Leinster announce pre-season tour squad

There are eight Ireland internationals in the Leinster squad for a mini pre-season tour to Biarritz and Bath.

Leo Cullen, Luke Fitzgerald, Keith Gleeson, Jamie Heaslip, Trevor Hogan, Bernard Jackman, Shane Jennings and Rob Kearney, as well as Argentina prop Juan Francisco Gomez, will provide the experience.

Ireland U-20 Grand Slam winning prospects prop Cian Healy, out-half Ian Keatley, hooker Richard Sweeney and back-rows Kevin McLaughlin and Sean O'Brien are also included in the travelling party.

The tour could also allow two more summer signings - Chris Keane and Stephen Knoop - the chance to kickstart their Leinster careers after moving from Connacht in the close season.

Fixtures:

Friday, August 31: Biarritz v Leinster, Parc Des Sports Aguilera, 8pm Irish time.

Friday, Sept 7: Bath v Leinster, Recreation Ground 6.30pm.

Leinster squad for pre-season tour:

Forwards: Cian Healy, Ronan McCormack, Stan Wright, Brian Blaney, Bernard Jackman, Juan Francisco-Gomez, Stephen Knoop, Richard Sweeney, Trevor Hogan, Cameron Jowitt, Leo Cullen, Devin Toner, Stephen Keogh, Richie Leyden, Keith Gleeson, Shane Jennings, Kevin McLaughlin, Sean O'Brien, Jamie Heaslip;

Backs: Chris Keane, Chris Whitaker, Cillian Willis, Jonathan Sexton, Ian Keatley, Rob Kearney, Michael Berne, Christian Warner, Luke Fitzgerald, Fergus McFadden, Vasily Artemiev, Gary Brown, Fionn Carr, Ross McCarron.