Leinster are the most successful professional Irish rugby team of all time. The Dubliners boast four European Championships and 10 United Rugby Championship titles. Much of that success is owed to a sea of world-class talent over the years, capable of terrorising the front and back line at any time. But who among them would make it in the starting squad if you could field the best Leinster Rugby XV of all time?
1. Loosehead Prop – Cian Healy
Cian Healy is the best Loosehead prop and one of the overall best Irish rugby players of all time. A legend for club and country, Healy spent his entire career with Leinster, making 291 appearances and helping to bring four European Cups and eight United Rugby Championship titles to Dublin. He finished his career as the all-time most-capped player for both Leinster and Ireland.
Nicknamed ‘The Bull’, Healy was full of raw power and tenacity. His carrying ability and defensive nous terrorised back rows around the world for the best part of two decades. His longevity, conduct on and off the field, and leadership make him a true Leinster legend and one of the first names on the teamsheet of the best Leinster XV of all time.
2. Hooker – Shane Byrne
Shane Byrne was one of the finest hookers in Leinster history and a key figure during the province’s rise to European dominance. The Ireland international made over 100 appearances for Leinster and played a major role in the famous 2009 Heineken Cup triumph. Byrne was a powerful, physical forward who brought plenty of aggression to the Leinster pack, while his strong set-piece work made him a reliable presence at hooker.
His ball-carrying ability and physicality made him particularly effective around the pitch, while his toughness allowed him to thrive in the biggest European games. Byrne was also an important leader during a crucial period in Leinster’s development. His contribution to the province’s first European Cup success helped establish the foundations for the dominance that followed. His performances, longevity and leadership make him a worthy selection at hooker in the greatest Leinster XV of all time.
3. Tighthead Prop – Tadhg Furlong
Tadhg Furlong is arguably the greatest Tighthead prop Leinster has ever produced and one of the best front-row forwards in world rugby. The Wexford native has been a key figure in the province’s success for more than a decade, winning multiple European Champions Cups and United Rugby Championship titles. His scrummaging is world-class, but his ability in open play is what truly sets him apart.
Furlong is an exceptional athlete for a player of his size. His powerful carrying, impressive footwork and ability to link play make him a constant attacking threat, while his strength and technique make him a formidable defender. He has also been a key player for Ireland, winning multiple Six Nations titles. His consistency at the highest level makes him an automatic selection in the best Leinster Rugby XV of all time.
4. Lock – Leo Cullen
Leo Cullen is one of the most important figures in Leinster Rugby history. The legendary second row made more than 200 appearances for the province and captained Leinster to their first Heineken Cup triumph in 2009. A tireless and intelligent lock, Cullen excelled in the physical battles that defined European rugby. His lineout ability, defensive work and leadership made him a hugely important player.
Cullen’s influence on Leinster continued long after his playing career ended. As head coach, he guided the province to further European and domestic success, cementing his status as one of the most influential figures in the club’s history. Few players have contributed as much to Leinster both on and off the pitch. His combination of playing ability, leadership and tactical intelligence makes Cullen an obvious selection at Lock.
5. Lock – Malcom O’Kelly
Malcolm O’Kelly was a towering presence in the Leinster second row and one of the province’s most important players during the early years of professional rugby. The Ireland international made more than 180 appearances for Leinster and played a major role in establishing the province as a European force. Standing at 6ft 8in, O’Kelly was a dominant lineout operator who used his size and athleticism to control the set piece.
He was also an effective ball carrier and a physical defender who brought plenty of aggression to the Leinster pack. O’Kelly’s longevity was particularly impressive, remaining a key player for more than a decade. He also won 92 Ireland caps and represented the British & Irish Lions. His consistency, leadership and dominance in the lineout make him a worthy selection in the second row.
6. Blindside Flanker – Sean O’Brien
Sean O’Brien is one of the greatest back-row forwards in Leinster history and arguably the best flanker the province has produced. Although primarily an openside flanker, he was capable of playing anywhere in the back row. Known affectionately as ‘The Tullow Tank’, O’Brien became one of the most destructive forwards in world rugby during his time in Dublin. He was a phenomenal ball carrier who could break tackles and gain huge amounts of ground across the length of a rugby pitch.
His work at the breakdown was equally impressive, while his defensive intensity made him a constant threat to opposition attacks. O’Brien was a central figure in Leinster’s golden generation, winning multiple European Champions Cups and domestic titles. He also enjoyed a distinguished international career with Ireland, including the famous 2018 Grand Slam. At his peak, O’Brien was virtually impossible to contain. His combination of speed, power and physicality makes him a perfect fit for any Leinster squad.
7. Openside Flanker – Josh van der Flier
O’Brien’s move to blindside in this team allows Josh van der Flier to occupy his favoured number 7 role. The Wicklow man has been one of the most consistent performers for Leinster and Ireland for over a decade. His work rate, speed around the pitch and ability to dominate at the breakdown have made him one of the finest openside flankers of his generation.
Van der Flier has been a key figure during one of the most successful periods in Leinster history, helping the club win multiple United Rugby Championship and European titles. He has also enjoyed huge international success with Ireland, including Grand Slam and Six Nations triumphs. His relentless tackling, exceptional fitness and intelligent positioning make him a nightmare for opposition attacks. Van der Flier’s consistency at the highest level earns him a deserved place in any list talking about the best XV Leinster Rugby players of all time.
8. Number 8 – Jamie Heaslip
Jamie Heaslip was one of the most consistent and accomplished number eights in Leinster history. The Canadian-born Irishman spent his entire professional club career with the province, making more than 200 appearances and winning three European Champions Cups alongside multiple domestic titles. Heaslip was an exceptionally intelligent and athletic forward who excelled in every phase of the game.
His ability to carry from the base of the scrum was a major part of Leinster’s attacking game, while his work rate allowed him to contribute across the pitch. He was also an outstanding defender and an excellent lineout option. His consistency made him one of the first names on the Leinster teamsheet for more than a decade, while he also captained both Leinster and Ireland. His longevity and trophy haul make him the obvious choice at number eight.
9. Scrum Half – Jamison Gibson-Park
Jamison Gibson-Park has developed into one of the finest scrum-halves in world rugby and a hugely important figure in Leinster’s modern era. The New Zealand-born Ireland international has been instrumental in the province’s continued success, combining exceptional speed with outstanding game management. His lightning-fast service allows Leinster to move the ball quickly and stretch opposition defences.
Gibson-Park is also an excellent runner who can exploit gaps around the fringes and possesses the vision to create opportunities for teammates. His defensive work and kicking game have developed significantly, making him a remarkably complete scrum-half. He has also been a key figure for Ireland, helping the team win multiple Six Nations titles and Grand Slams. His ability to control the pace of matches and consistently perform at the highest level makes him a worthy selection in this all-time Leinster XV.
10. Fly Half – Johnny Sexton
Johnny Sexton is one of the greatest fly-halves in rugby history and the obvious choice to wear number 10 in the best Leinster XV of all time. The Dublin native spent the majority of his career with the province, winning four European Champions Cups and multiple domestic titles. Sexton was a master of game management, with his tactical kicking, passing range and ability to control territory making him one of the smartest players of his generation.
He was also an exceptional goal kicker who consistently delivered under immense pressure. What truly separated Sexton was his competitive mentality and leadership. He demanded excellence from those around him and regularly produced his best performances in the biggest matches. His achievements with both Leinster and Ireland place him among rugby’s all-time greats. His intelligence, skill, toughness and leadership make him an automatic selection at fly-half.
11. Left Wing – Isa Nacewa
Isa Nacewa is one of the most beloved players in Leinster history and arguably the greatest winger ever to represent the province. The Fijian-born New Zealander enjoyed two spells in Dublin, becoming a key figure during one of the most successful periods in Leinster’s history. Nacewa was a remarkably complete back who possessed exceptional pace, powerful running and outstanding finishing ability.
His intelligence and leadership made him much more than a traditional winger. He was equally comfortable creating opportunities for teammates and taking responsibility himself, while his versatility allowed him to play across the backline. Nacewa captained Leinster to two European Champions Cup victories and became synonymous with the province’s winning culture. His loyalty and leadership further cemented his legendary status. His combination of skill, versatility and big-game influence earns him the left-wing position in the best Leinster Rugby XV of all time.
12. Inside Centre – Gordon D’Arcy
Gordon D’Arcy is one of the most decorated players in Leinster history and one of the finest centres Ireland has ever produced. The Wexford native spent his entire professional club career with Leinster, making more than 250 appearances and winning four European Champions Cups. D’Arcy formed an outstanding partnership with Brian O’Driscoll, becoming part of one of the most formidable centre combinations in European rugby.
His defensive intelligence, physicality and ability to break the line made him exceptionally difficult to contain. He was also a superb athlete who could contribute at both ends of the pitch. D’Arcy remained at the highest level for more than a decade and was a central figure in Leinster’s transformation into a European superpower. His trophy haul and partnership with O’Driscoll create a focal point in the greatest Leinster Rugby XV of all time.
13. Outside Centre – Brian O’Driscoll
Brian O’Driscoll is arguably the greatest player in Leinster history and one of the best centres rugby has ever produced. The Dublin-born superstar spent his entire club career with Leinster, making more than 180 appearances and winning four European Champions Cups. O’Driscoll possessed an extraordinary combination of speed, strength, skill and intelligence.
He was a devastating runner who could break defensive lines, but his ability to read the game and create opportunities for teammates made him far more than an individual talent. His leadership was equally important, captaining both Leinster and Ireland for many years. O’Driscoll became a symbol of the province and one of the most respected players in world rugby. His individual achievements and influence on Leinster’s rise to European dominance cannot be overstated. His skill, leadership and longevity make him an automatic selection at outside centre.
14. Right Wing – James Lowe
James Lowe has become one of the most dangerous attacking players in modern Leinster history. The New Zealand-born winger joined the province in 2017 and quickly established himself as a key figure in Leinster’s backline and the current all-time leading try scorer. Lowe’s greatest weapon is his extraordinary left boot, which allows him to change the territory battle in an instant and deliver huge touch-finders.
However, he is equally dangerous with ball in hand. His size, pace and power make him incredibly difficult to defend against, while his ability to beat defenders with strength or speed makes him a constant attacking threat. His defensive game has also developed significantly throughout his time in Dublin. Lowe has played a major role in Leinster’s continued success in Europe and the United Rugby Championship. His combination of physicality, kicking excellence and attacking flair makes him one of the most complete wingers of his generation.
15. Full Back – Rob Kearney
Rob Kearney is one of the greatest full-backs in Leinster history and one of the most reliable players of his generation. The Louth native made more than 200 appearances for the club and won four European Champions Cups. Kearney was an outstanding defensive full-back who possessed exceptional positioning, aerial ability and composure under pressure.
His ability to safely field high balls made him a crucial part of Leinster’s defensive structure, while his powerful kicking game helped control territory. He was also a dangerous attacking player who could join the backline to create opportunities or finish attacking moves. His consistency was perhaps his greatest strength, remaining at the highest level for more than a decade. Kearney played a central role in one of the most successful periods in Leinster history. His trophy haul, longevity and reliability make him the perfect choice at full-back.
What is the Best Leinster Rugby Team of all Time?
