Ringrose Returns As Leinster Give Frawley His First Start At Out-Half

Leinster head coach Leo Cullen has named his team to play the Southern Kings at the RDS on Friday in round 16 of the GUINNESS PRO14 (kick-off 7.35pm).

After his debut off the bench last Saturday against the Scarlets, Skerries youngster Ciaran Frawley has been selected at out-half by Leo Cullen for the first time. Frawley, who has ten Ireland Under-20 caps, kicked two from two off the tee and impressed in general play on his senior debut for the province.

Elsewhere, in a team that shows ten changes in personnel, Dave Kearney starts at full back for his 120th cap with Barry Daly on the right wing and last weekend’s man-of-the-match, James Lowe, on the left. New Zealander Lowe has scored five tries in six games so far for Leinster.

Isa Nacewa captains the side from the centre on his 180th appearance in blue, with the returning Garry Ringrose outside him in the number 13 jersey. Ringrose last played for Leinster in January against Ulster before an ankle injury forced him off. Partnering Frawley at half-back is fellow UCD clubman Nick McCarthy. 

Loosehead prop Ed Byrne is joined by his twin brother, hooker Bryan, and Michael Bent in the front row. It is the first time that the Byrnes from Carlow will start a senior match for Leinster together, having done so twice this season with the province’s ‘A’ team.

Mick Kearney and Ian Nagle come in to form the second row partnership, while the 21-year-old Will Connors gets the nod at openside flanker, linking up in a youthful back row with Josh Murphy (23), who won five turnovers against the Scarlets, and Max Deegan (21).

St. Mary’s College prop Adam Coyle, who is also 21, has been selected as Leinster’s replacement tighthead. The former Naas CBS and Ireland Under-20 forward is in line to make his Leinster senior debut having previously played with the province’s Under-20s.

LEINSTER (v Southern Kings): Dave Kearney; Barry Daly, Garry Ringrose, Isa Nacewa (capt), James Lowe; Ciaran Frawley, Nick McCarthy; Ed Byrne, Bryan Byrne, Michael Bent, Mick Kearney, Ian Nagle, Josh Murphy, Will Connors, Max Deegan.

Replacements: James Tracy, Peter Dooley, Adam Coyle, Ross Molony, Peadar Timmins, Jamison Gibson-Park, Noel Reid, Jordan Larmour.