URC: Sheehan returns to captain Leinster, McElroy and O’Brien make first Connacht starts 

LEADING FROM THE FRONT: Dan Sheehan. Pic: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

Leinster boss has named Dan Sheehan as captain for the province's Sunday afternoon URC clash with the Dragons at Rodney Parade. 

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 named on the wings.

Jamie Osborne and Charlie Ngatai form the centre partnership once more.

Ben Murphy makes his first Leinster start, where he is partnered in the half-backs by Ross Byrne. 

In the pack, Jack Boyle, Sheehan and Thomas Clarkson form the front row.

Joe McCarthy makes his return from Rugby World Cup duties. He partners Jason Jenkins in the Leinster engine room.

Ryan Baird, Will Connors and James Culhane make up the back-row.

Michael Ala’alatoa - heavily linked with a move to French outfit Clermont Auvergne - is set for 50th appearance if called upon off the bench

For Connacht, who take on Edinburgh on Saturday, Tadgh McElroy and Seán O’Brien make their first starts for the province in a side captained by Jack Carty. 

The Murray brothers, Niall and Darragh, start in the second-row for the trip to Scotland.

Tom Daly and John Porch make their first appearances of the season, while the bench includes the fit-again JJ Hanrahan. 

Sam Illo could also feature for the first time this season.

Leinster (v Dragons): C Frawley; T O'Brien, J Osborne, C Ngatai, J O'Brien; R Byrne, B Murphy; J Boyle, D Sheehan, T Clarkson; J McCarthy, J Jenkins; R Baird, W Connors, J Culhane.

Replacements: L Barron, P McCarthy, M Ala’alatoa, M Deegan, S Penny, C Foley, H Byrne, R Russell.

C onnacht (v Edinburgh): T O’Halloran; J Porch, B Ralston, T Daly, A Smith; J Carty, C Blade; P Dooley, T McElroy, J Aungier; N Murray, D Murray; C Prendergast, C Oliver, S O’Brien.

Replacements: D Tierney-Martin, J Duggan, S Illo, J Joyce, J Butler, C Reilly, D Hawkshaw, JJ Hanrahan.