Leinster Rugby Pre-Season Training

For rugby supporters who want to see the Leinster squad up close without paying match prices, a free pre-season open training session is about as good as it gets. This is not a polished exhibition - it is a working session where coaches run drills, fitness staff push the conditioning work, and players go through the routines that set up a full season of United Rugby Championship and Heineken Champions Cup rugby. It suits die-hard fans who want to watch the coaching patterns, families with young supporters who would get a kick from seeing their heroes in person, and anyone curious about what professional rugby preparation actually looks like.

What to expect

Leinster Rugby’s pre-season runs through July and August as the squad rebuilds fitness and sharpens combinations ahead of the new campaign. Open sessions during this window give spectators a chance to watch from the sideline while drills, lineout work, backs moves and contact sessions take place on the training pitch. Capacity for public viewing is limited - this is a training facility, not a stadium - so arriving early is sensible. The session is subject to squad rotation and coaching decisions on the day, so the full group may not be present, and the schedule can shift. Checking the Leinster Rugby website or social media the day before will confirm if the session is still on as planned.

The Leinster Rugby Training Centre in Donnybrook is the hub for the province’s age-grade and development squads, sitting at the Energia Park end of Donnybrook - a part of Dublin 4 with a long history of rugby going back well before the province’s move to the RDS and the Aviva.

Getting there

Donnybrook is a short trip from the city centre. Dublin Bus routes 10, 46A and 145 serve the Donnybrook Road corridor and take roughly 20 to 25 minutes from the city depending on traffic. The DART does not serve this part of Dublin 4 directly, but Sandymount or Lansdowne Road stations are walkable for those coming from the coast. By car, the venue is on the south side of Dublin city with access via the N11 Stillorgan Road and surrounding roads - parking in Donnybrook village is limited, and a short walk from the Ballsbridge direction is often the more reliable option.

While you’re in Dublin

Donnybrook sits just south of Ballsbridge, a neighbourhood of Georgian townhouses, embassies and some of Dublin’s most reliably good restaurants and cafes. The city centre is 3 kilometres away, and the seafront at Sandymount Strand is a flat 20-minute walk east. There is more to see in Dublin and across Co. Dublin.

Good to know

• Date: Wednesday 15 July 2026, 10:00am
• Admission: Free
• Venue: Leinster Rugby Training Centre, Donnybrook, Dublin 4
• Session subject to squad availability and coaching schedule - confirm via leinsterrugby.ie or Leinster’s social channels before travelling
• Spectator capacity is limited; arrive early to secure a viewing spot