Leinster's Joe McCarthy coming to grips with rugby's grey areas

What Leinster don’t want to do is give Bayonne a sniff of something, anything early on

Joe McCarthy in squad training for Leinster. Pic: Morgan Treacy/Inpho

Bayonne. The Basque Country. A new port of call for Leinster, in itself an increasingly rare event after almost 30 years of what is now the Champions Cup, and one of the most attractive cities in French rugby to boot.

The city’s mix of culture, great food and attractive streets will be appreciated more by the travelling support than the players, but Leo Cullen’s lads are pretty pleased to be pitching up at the famed Stade Jean Dauger as well.