Leo Cullen has welcomed back five Irish internationals to the Leinster team's trip to Dragons on Sunday.
Dan Sheehan captains the team for the first time. The line-up includes five members of Ireland’s Rugby World Cup squad. Ciarán Frawley starts at full-back with Tommy O’Brien and Jimmy O’Brien, on the wings.
Jamie Osborne and Charlie Ngatai are in the centre once more. The returning Ross Byrne at fly-half. Academy scrum-half Ben Murphy makes his first start for Leinster.
In the pack, Jack Boyle, Sheehan and Thomas Clarkson form the front row.
It will be a proud day for Lansdowne FC club man Sheehan, captaining his province, as he pulls on Leinster blue for the first time this season.
After impressing for Leinster, national honours would soon follow and he made his Ireland debut in November 2021 against Japan and most recently, won a Grand Slam in 2023, followed by inclusion in the Rugby World Cup squad.
In the second row, Joe McCarthy also makes his return from Rugby World Cup duties alongside Jason Jenkins with Ryan Baird also back in the mix for the first time this season.
Will Connors and James Culhane complete the back-row. Among the replacements, Samoa captain Michael Ala’alatoa is in line to win his 50th Leinster cap. Leinster are sixth in the URC table after three rounds.
Leinster: 15. Ciarán Frawley, 14. Tommy O’Brien, 13. Jamie Osborne, 12. Charlie Ngatai, 11. Jimmy O’Brien, 10. Ross Byrne, 9. Ben Murphy, 1. Jack Boyle, 2. Dan Sheehan (C), 3. Thomas Clarkson, 4. Joe McCarthy, 5. Jason Jenkins, 6. Ryan Baird, 7. Will Connors, 8. James Culhane.
Replacements: 16. Lee Barron, 17. Paddy McCarthy, 18. Michael Ala’alatoa, 19. Max Deegan, 20. Scott Penny, 21. Cormac Foley, 22. Harry Byrne, 23. Rob Russell.
Dragons v Leinster
Sunday 12th November 2023
Rodney Parade, Kick-off: 13:15
Referee: Gianluca Gnecchi (FIR)
