Anyone around Portlaoise on Thursday evening might have been forced to do a double take as a selection of Irish international rugby stars strolled around the town.
Jonny Sexton, James Ryan, Tadhg Furlong, Cian Healy, Robbie Henshaw and Hugo Keenan were among those spotted as the Leinster rugby team stayed in the Midlands Park Hotel as part of their 12 County Tour of the province.
Coaches Leo Cullen, Stuart Lancaster, Guy Easterby and Sean O’Brien were also among their entourage.
A large group of players and coaches then visited the Square Bar last night where they were welcomed by proprietor Michael Scully.
The large squad travelled on two busses as they left Dublin yesterday morning.
They did a gym session in Dundalk IT before one group trained in Longford Rugby Club and another in Ashbourne, where they were greeted by a number of supporters.
It was then on to lunch in Mullingar Rugby Club before a stop in Tullamore where they had dinner and then on to the Midlands Park Hotel where they stayed for the night. They also enjoyed a few drinks in the Square Bar.
This morning the two groups departed with one bus heading to train in Kilkenny and another in Athy.
Part of today’s tour was also taking in stops in Carlow, Wexford and Wicklow before they returned to Dublin.
Leinster begin their 2022-23 season on September 17 away to Italian side Zebre in the United Rugby Championship.
SEE ALSO – Previewing all of Friday’s hurling action with relegation finals and knock-out games ahead
