James Culhane: 'I think it’s so important that it’s just not Dublin where the rugby is centred. That we try to expand as much as we can'

He is one of a number of players from the Garden County in the Leinster squad with Josh van der Flier (Wicklow Town), Jack Conan (Bray) and Cormac Foley (Newtownmountkennedy) also being included amongst this particular cohort.

EXPAND OUTSIDE DUBLIN: James Culhane believes that its important the Leinster rugby is not Dublin centred. Pic: ©INPHO/Ben Brady

When he was progressing through the ranks of schools, provincial and international rugby over the past few years, rising Leinster prospect James Culhane didn’t have to look very far for the perfect source of inspiration.

A native of Limerick, Culhane’s father Paul was a talented rugby player in his own right. In addition to featuring in the Munster Schools Senior Cup with St Munchin’s College in the Treaty County, the elder Culhane captained the Ireland U21s as well as the Irish Universities side.