Frawley starts at 10 in strong Leinster team for Benetton clash

CIARÁN FRAWLEY WILL wear Leinster’s number 10 shirt in tomorrow’s URC clash with Benetton at the RDS [KO 7.35pm, TG4].

24-year-old Frawley has played most of his rugby for Leinster at inside centre in recent seasons but has been handed his second start at out-half in more than two years for the visit of the Italians.

Frawley is one of 11 Leinster players who will head away on the Emerging Ireland tour to South Africa – where he will also be used as an out-half – on Sunday but he will be part of a very strong Leinster team before departing.

The Skerries man impressed in the number 10 shirt for Ireland’s midweek team against the& Māori All Blacks during their tour of New Zealand over the summer.

Leo Cullen and Stuart Lancaster have brought Ireland internationals Garry Ringrose, Robbie Henshaw, Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan, James Ryan, Josh van der Flier, Ryan Baird, and Caelan Doris into their starting XV for their first appearances of the new season.

Ringrose captains the team, while also includes Jordan Larmour who has recovered from a knee injury. Cian Healy will cover tighthead prop from the Leinster bench and will win his 250th cap for the province when called upon.

Leinster (v Benetton):

• 15. Jimmy O’Brien
• 14. Jordan Larmour
• 13. Garry Ringrose (captain)
• 12. Robbie Henshaw
• 11. Dave Kearney 
• 10. Ciarán Frawley
• 9. Luke McGrath

• 1. Andrew Porter
• 2. Dan Sheehan
• 3. Michael Ala’alatoa
• 4. Jason Jenkins
• 5. James Ryan
• 6. Ryan Baird
• 7. Josh van der Flier
• 8. Caelan Doris

Replacements:

• 16. Rónan Kelleher
• 17. Ed Byrne
• 18. Cian Healy
• 19. Ross Molony
• 20. Will Connors
• 21. Cormac Foley
• 22. Ross Byrne
• 23. Charlie Ngatai

Benetton:

• 15. Ignacio Mendy 
• 14. Mattia Bellini
• 13. Joaquin Riera
• 12. Marco Zanon
• 11. Onisi Ratave
• 10. Giacomo Da Re
• 9. Sam Hidalgo-Clyne

• 1. Ivan Nemer
• 2. Giacomo Nicotera
• 3. Simone Ferrari
• 4. Niccolò Cannone
• 5. Scott Scrafton
• 6. Giovanni Pettinelli
• 7. Michele Lamaro (captain)
• 8. Toa Halafihi

Replacements:

• 16. Gianmarco Lucchesi
• 17. Federico Zani
• 18. Filippo Alongi
• 19. Carl Wegner
• 20. Henry Time-Stowers
• 21. Manfredi Albanese
• 22. Tommaso Menoncello
• 23. Ratuva Tavuyara

Referee: Jaco Peyper [SARU].