Forgotten man Ciaran Frawley starts at No.10 for Leinster

Ciaran Frawley at Leinster training in UCD. Pic: Tom Maher, Inpho

Leinster have welcomed five Ireland squad players back into their ranks for Friday’s URC trip to Ospreys with Ciaran Frawley, the forgotten man in the Ireland out-half debate, starting at ten for the province for the first time since mid-October.

Injuries and the emergence of Sam Prendergast have limited Frawley’s time on the field and, specifically, as the pivot. His last appearance for Ireland was off the bench against Fiji in the November Test window as Jack Crowley continues to back up Prendergast.

Also included in the Leinster XV for the visit to Wales is Jamie Osborne who starts at full-back while Jimmy O’Brien lines out on the left wing. Jack Boyle and Gus McCarthy, go in the front row. Like Frawley, none have seen game time in the Six Nations as of yet.

Rabah Slimani returns from the French squad, where he has also been a non-playing member so far, to complete that trio, Tommy O’Brien returns to action for the first time since December, while Luke McGrath captains the side from nine.

Jordie Barrett is not named in the 23. There was no hint of injury trouble earlier this week with the Kiwi given last week off after a heavy season to date. RG Snyman was another given time off last week but he lines out on the replacements bench.

LEINSTER: J Osborne; T O’Brien, H Cooney, C Tector, J O’Brien; C Frawley, L McGrath; J Boyle, G McCarthy, R Slimani; D Mangan, B Deeny; M Deegan, S Penny, J Culhane.

Replacements: J McKee, P McCarthy, R McGuire, RG Snyman, A Soroka, F Gunne, R Byrne, A Osborne.