Entering the unknown.

Leinster will be the first PRO14 team to travel to South Africa as they get set to take on the Cheetahs and the Southern Kings in a two-week tour to down south for rounds 3 & 4.

Head coach Leo Cullen has said he will bring a squad to South Africa, while leaving another one back home in Ireland to continue preparations. He’s already without the like of internationals Johnny Sexton, Sean O’Brien, Tadhg Furlong, Garry Ringrose, Robbie Henshaw and Joey Carbery, with two more now confirmed to miss the trip.

Jamie Heaslip will also miss the trip to South Africa.

Fullback Rob Kearney picked up a fresh injury concern in the win over Cardiff after only recently returning from injury. Kearney injured his hamstring in the win, and will not travel.

“It’s gutting for him to be honest,” John Fogarty said this afternoon.

“It’s so important that everyone who travels [to South Africa] is ready to go and he’s not in a fit state to travel. It’s disappointing.

“I share the same frustration and I’m sure he’s at this moment at the end of his tether a small bit. He’s annoyed, of course. He still has big plans, he’s got a season ahead of him which he wants to make his mark in both here and for Ireland.

“He wants to be fit and be successful. He’s very disappointed, but he’s realistic in his approach. He knows the process he has to go through now to get back. You just have to go to work with it, be disappointed for a little bit but get on with it.”

Jamie Heaslip will also miss the trip, with Leinster confirming he still hasn’t fully recovered from a back injury.