Leo Cullen Announces 23 to Face Dragons RFC

Dan Sheehan captains the team for the first time, in a line-up that includes five members of Ireland’s Rugby World Cup squad.

Ciarán Frawley starts at full-back, with Tommy O’Brien and Jimmy O’Brien, who came off the bench against New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup Quarter-Final, on the wings.

Jamie Osborne and Charlie Ngatai are in the centre once more, with the returning Ross Byrne at fly-half. Academy scrum-half Ben Murphy makes his first start for Leinster.

The former Presentation College, Bray student, who plays with Clontarf FC in the Energia AIL, has five appearances off the bench since his debut against Munster Rugby in May 2022.

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.

Sheehan made his Leinster Rugby debut in October 2020, scoring two tries against Zebre and has since added a further 45 caps to his name.

Prior to joining the Leinster Academy, the 25-year-old attended Clongowes Wood College, before pulling on the famous Dublin University FC jersey while studying in Trinity.

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 Rugby (caps in brackets):

15. Ciarán Frawley (70)
14. Tommy O’Brien (27)
13. Jamie Osborne (33)
12. Charlie Ngatai (18)
11. Jimmy O’Brien (71)
10. Ross Byrne (148)
9. Ben Murphy (5)
1. Jack Boyle (5)
2. Dan Sheehan (46) CAPTAIN
3. Thomas Clarkson (28)
4. Joe McCarthy (19)
5. Jason Jenkins (22)
6. Ryan Baird (54)
7. Will Connors (38)
8. James Culhane (5)

Replacements:

16. Lee Barron (10)
17. Paddy McCarthy (3)
18. Michael Ala’alatoa (49)
19. Max Deegan (101)
20. Scott Penny (59)
21. Cormac Foley (14)
22. Harry Byrne (54)
23. Rob Russell (20)