Donnellan juggling work and training as he gets the nod again for Leinster

FROM CLUB TO PROVINCE: Dylan Donnellan is juggling work with training for Leinster after getting call up from his club. Pic: ©INPHO/Tom Maher

Leo Cullen has praised Dylan Donnellan’s transition from club rugby and a full-time job to representing Leinster after retaining the Clontarf hooker for this afternoon’s BKT URC clash with Edinburgh at the RDS (3:05pm). Donnellan, 28, came off the bench for his Leinster debut seven days ago and eight years after last lining out for his province at Under-20 level as Cullen’s team notched their first win of the new season with a 34-13 home victory over the Sharks.

With Ireland hookers Dan Sheehan and Ronan Kelleher still being rested following the World Cup and John McKee ruled out through an injury sustained in the opening-round loss at Glasgow, Lee Barron continues at number two in a Leinster side showing just one change from the starting XV against the Sharks, with academy back-rower James Culhane in at No.8 as Max Deegan switches to blindside flanker and Rhys Ruddock moves to the bench.

That means another opportunity for Donnellan, who has juggled his full-time job as a sales agent for Lennox Laboratory supplies with preparing for a potential second Leinster appearance as a replacement this weekend, much to the head coach’s satisfaction.

“He came in at short notice and was with us last week and did a great job for us so it’s really pleasing to be able to give Dylan another opportunity, hopefully,” Cullen said.

“You need that competition all across the board and it’s such a positive thing to have happened for us with a club player coming in and coming off the bench, making his debut for Leinster and the team going well.

“He hasn’t really skipped a beat since he’s been with us, Dylan, he’s all across his detail so thanks again to his employers, Lennox Laboratories! He’s had to juggle a bit of work and rugby this week but we’re very, very lucky to have him.” 

Cullen was pleased with his team’s rebound from a difficult opening-round loss in Scotland as Leinster returned to the RDS last Saturday and is looking for his squad to continue their winning ways against an Edinburgh side with two wins from two so far this season.

“We got a good crowd here last week and it was definitely a step in the right direction, I thought. We had a disappointing game against Glasgow, better against the Sharks and we’ve had a decent training week. A few of the international guys have returned in terms of doing a little bit of training and they obviously are all keen to get back involved now, which is great.

“But it’s a good opportunity for our guys again now. Edinburgh pose a serious test for us because they’re two from two in their start to the season and they’ve a lot of international experience throughout their team.

“So it’s a great challenge for our guys and looking forward to seeing how they go.” 

Former Munster fly-half Ben Healy will make his first return to Irish shores since his summer move to the Scottish capital and is in flying form having kicked 24 points in the opening two games of his Edinburgh career, wins over the Lions and Dragons.

LEINSTER: C Frawley; T O’Brien, J Osborne, C Ngatai, J Larmour; H Byrne, C Foley; J Boyle, L Barron, M Ala’alatoa; R Molony, J Jenkins; M Deegan, S Penny – captain, J Culhane.

Replacements: D Donnellan, P McCarthy, R McGuire, B Deeny, R Ruddock, B Murphy, S Prendergast, R Russell.

EDINBURGH: B Kinghorn; W Goosen, M Bennett, M Currie, D van der Merwe; B Healy, C Shiel; P Schoeman, D Cherry, WP Nel; G Young, G Gilchrist – captain; T Dodd, H Watson, L Crosbie.

Replacements: E Ashman, B Venter, J Sebastian, M Sykes, C Boyle, H Patterson, J Lang, C Dean.

Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa)