Leinster head coach Leo Cullen has said that last season’s opening BKT United Rugby Championship weekend loss to the Stormers is still “very fresh” in his mind as his side prepares to take on the Lions on Saturday.

Leinster suffered a humbling 35-0 loss in Cape Town last season and they will be looking to not repeat that fate as they begin their title defence in South Africa once more.

“We have an exciting group ready to go for round one against the Lions and hopefully we do a little better than we did against the Stormers last year where we lost 35-0. That’s still very fresh in my mind,” he said.

Cullen has opted for a youthful side for his first squad with Todd Lawlor set to make his debut from full-back and academy forward Dylan McNeice named among the replacements. Out-half Caspar Gabriel is also set to make his first start.

Forty-one players have travelled to South Africa with Cullen hoping to improve on the province’s strength and depth.

“It gives us an opportunity to build the strength and depth in the group. Some guys have really stood up well.

“There’s a couple of guys who will be making their debuts for Leinster this weekend which is hugely exciting. We’ve three academy players in the starting XV. Another three academy players on the bench this week and we’ve three other academy players in the wider squad.

“It’s only positive for the future of the club. What better place to test yourself than away here in South Africa. The home of the world champions.

“Anyone who would watch the Lions – especially when they play here at Ellis Park – all across the course of last season and how dangerous they are and how they play the game.

“It’s a serious challenge for our guys and they’ve been made well aware of it over the course of pre-season. We’re all curious to see how they get on now.”

Cullen also confirmed that Caelan Doris would keep the captain’s armband for this season but that Max Deegan would lead the side out this weekend as Doris continues to recover from a foot injury.

“Caelan is unbelievably well respected within the group for the work he does on the field but off the field as well,” he said. “He’s not here in South Africa with us right now but he still has huge respect in the group and he will be the person to lead the group this season even if he won’t be playing in this block of games which we’ve also discussed as a group here.

“Other people will need to step up to the mark in terms of how they lead the group.”

Leinster: Todd Lawlor, Tommy O’Brien, Hugh Cooney, Charlie Tector, Andrew Osborne, Caspar Gabriel, Fintan Gunne, Alex Usanov, Gus McCarthy, Andrew Porter, Ryan Baird, Conor O’Tighearnaigh, Max Deegan (captain), Scott Penny, Josh Ericson

Replacements: Stephen Smyth, Peter Dooley, Niall Smyth, Brian Deeney, Dylan McNeice, Oliver Coffey, Harry Byrne, Ciarán Mangan