Leo Cullen has been handed a timely lift ahead of Leinster's season opener, with Andrew Porter and Tommy O'Brien both available for selection. The Irish province start their campaign away to the Lions at Ellis Park, one of the most demanding trips on their calendar. Porter's presence matters most up front, because the South African side pride themselves on physical battles and his scrummaging and ball-carrying give Leinster a foothold in both areas. O'Brien's availability adds a sharp option behind the scrum, where his pace suits the wider channels of the high veld. Performing at altitude is never straightforward, and visiting teams usually need every experienced body they can find. The Ellis Park crowd adds a hostility that some younger squad members will face for the first time. Cullen now has genuine choices across his team sheet instead of being forced into changes. A winning start in Johannesburg would set the tone for a demanding stretch of fixtures.