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Still no sign of Ciaran Frawley as Leinster name team for Dragons
By Ian Cameron
Leinster head coach Leo Cullen has continued to rest Ciaran Frawley following his involvement in Ireland’s tour of South Africa, opting instead for the Byrne brothers, Ross and Harry, for Leinster’s first home game of the BKT United Rugby Championship season against Dragons RFC.
Ross Byrne will start at fly-half, while younger brother Harry Byrne has been named on the bench as cover at 10. Frawley appears to still be in cotton wool as per IRFU protocols on Test play rest periods, although there's a considerable clamour amongst supporters for the red-headed utility back to get a run of games at ten for Leinster.
Cullen has made seven changes to the starting fifteen that edged past Edinburgh 33-31 last weekend. Veteran Cian Healy will make his 281st appearance for Leinster, breaking Devin Toner’s previous record.
Two academy players have been named in the starting line-up with Charlie Tector and Liam Turner forming the centre partnership. Academy hooker Gus McCarthy keeps his place in the front row alongside Healy and Thomas Clarkson.
Jamie Osborne will start at full-back for his 50th cap. Max Deegan, Jack Conan, and Will Connors retain their places in the back row.
Leinster Assistant Coach Tyler Bleyendaal said: "We had a great result in our first game, I think, to come away from Edinburgh with five points. We had, at times, a scratchy performance but we showed a lot of guts and resilience to get that result."
Leinster Rugby: Jamie Osborne, Jordan Larmour, Liam Turner, Charlie Tector, Jimmy O'Brien, Ross Byrne, Luke McGrath; Cian Healy, Gus McCarthy, Thomas Clarkson, Brian Deeny, James Ryan, Max Deegan, Will Connors, Jack Conan (CAPT)
Replacements: Lee Barron, Michael Milne, Rabah Slimani, Joe McCarthy, Josh van der Flier, Fintan Gunne, Harry Byrne, Aitzol King
Dragons RFC : Angus O’Brien, Rio Dyer, Harry Wilson, Steff Hughes, Jared Rosser, Lloyd Evans, Dane Blacker; Rodrigo Martinez, Brodie Coghlan, Chris Coleman, Ben Carter (CAPT), George Nott, Ryan Woodman, Harri Keddie, Shane Lewis-Hughes
Replacement : Oli Burrows, Rhodri Jones, Luke Yendle, Matthew Screech, George Young, Rhodri Williams, Joe Westwood, Ewan Rosser
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