Team Announcement: Leinster Rugby Vs Dragons RFC

The Leinster Rugby tea to take on Dragons RFC in Round 14 of the BKT United Rugby Championship, on Saturday evening in the RDS Arena, has been named by Leo Cullen (KO: 7.35pm – live on RTÉ2 and URC TV).

Rhys Ruddock captains the team on Saturday evening, with Jimmy O’Brien, Jordan Larmour, Jamie Osborne and Michael Milne all starting, after returning from the Ireland squad earlier this week.

O’Brien starts the game at full-back, with Larmour and Dave Kearney named on the wings.

Liam Turner keeps his place in the team after impressing against Cardiff last month and is joined in the centre by Osborne.

Harry Byrne and Luke McGrath are the half-backs, completing the backline.

The pack remains unchanged from the bonus point win over Cardiff.

Milne, John McKee and Michael Ala’alatoa form the front row.

Ross Molony and Brian Deeny are in the second row, with Ruddock, Scott Penny and Max Deegan completing the back row.

Leinster Rugby (caps in brackets):
15. Jimmy O’Brien (65)
14. Jordan Larmour (83)
13. Liam Turner (13)
12. Jamie Osborne (29)
11. Dave Kearney (179)
10. Harry Byrne (43)
9. Luke McGrath (187)
1. Michael Milne (25)
2. John McKee (12)
3. Michael Ala’alatoa (39)
4. Ross Molony (155)
5. Brian Deeny (8)
6. Rhys Ruddock (217) CAPTAIN
7. Scott Penny (50)
8. Max Deegan (91)

16. Lee Barron (2)
17. Jack Boyle (0)
18. Thomas Clarkson (22)
19. Jason Jenkins (9)
20. Will Connors (30)
21. Nick McCarthy (56)
22. Charlie Tector (3)
23. Rob Russell (13)

Dragons

Influential back row Ross Moriarty returns to the starting line-up as Dragons RFC face leaders Leinster Rugby in the BKT United Rugby Championship on Saturday evening.

Number Eight Moriarty is one of five changes made by boss Dai Flanagan for the Round 14 clash at the RDS Arena in Dublin.

A recall for flanker Ben Fry is the other change to the forward pack.

Full back Angus O’Brien is back in the 15 jersey in Ireland while Steff Hughes returns to partner Jack Dixon in midfield. Sio Tomkinson moves to wing.

The final change is a call-up for talented young fly half Will Reed.

Wales Under-20s captain Ryan Woodman – who has impressed throughout the Under-20s Six Nations in recent weeks – is named among the replacements.

Dragons RFC: Angus O’Brien, Sio Tomkinson, Steff Hughes, Jack Dixon, Ashton Hewitt, Will Reed, Rhodri Williams (c); Rhodri Jones, Brodie Coghlan, Lloyd Fairbrother, Matthew Screech, Ben Carter, Ben Fry, Taine Basham, Ross Moriarty

Replacements: James Benjamin, Aki Seiuli, Chris Coleman, Sean Lonsdale, Ryan Woodman, Lewis Jones, JJ Hanrahan, Jordan Williams

Unavailable: Gonzalo Bertranou (foot), Joe Davies (knock), Elliot Dee (collarbone), Ollie Griffiths (pec), Harrison Keddie (hamstring), George Nott (knee), Aneurin Owen (knee), Will Rowlands (shoulder), David Richards (hamstring)