Healy to earn record-breaking 281st Leinster cap as team to face Dragons announced

The Leinster Rugby team, proudly sponsored by Bank of Ireland, to take on Dragons RFC in Round 2 of the BKT United Rugby Championship tomorrow evening in Aviva Stadium has been named by Head Coach Leo Cullen (KO: 7:35pm, live on TG4 and Premier Sport).

Cian Healy has been named in the starting XV, clearing the way for him to become the sole owner of the record for most appearances for Leinster Rugby. His 281st outing in blue will see him break a tie with Leinster legend Devin Toner, whose record he equalled in last Friday’s win over Edinburgh.

There are seven changes to the starting XV from the 33-31 win in Scotland, with nine changes to the matchday 23 in total for Leinster’s first home game of the new campaign. Two Academy players have been named in the starting team, with another two named among the replacements.

Jamie Osborne lines up again at full-back to earn his 50th cap for Leinster alongside Jordan Larmour once more, while Jimmy O’Brien replaces the injured Tommy O’Brien.

Academy star Charlie Tector, who was added to the Emerging Ireland squad after his try-scoring heroics in Edinburgh, is joined in the centre by Liam Turner.

Last week’s half-back replacements, Ross Byrne and Luke McGrath, have been drafted into the starting line up ahead of the Dragons’ visit.

Record-breaker Healy is joined in the front row by Academy hooker Gus McCarthy and Thomas Clarkson, who start alongside each other for the second game in a row.

James Ryan is ready to once again provide the power from the second row, this time alongside Brian Deeny, who is promoted to the starting team after coming on as a replacement in Scotland last Friday.

Jack Conan captains the side once more, with Max Deegan keeping his place in the team and Will Connors due to hit a half century of caps.

Michael Milne, who was withdrawn from the season opener after 48 minutes with an ankle injury, has been named on the bench alongside summer signing Rabah Slimani and hooker Lee Barron.

Ireland internationals Josh van der Flier and Joe McCarthy make up the remainder of the forward reinforcements for Friday night’s game at the Aviva.

Academy duo Fintan Gunne and Aitzol King take their place among the replacements as Harry Byrne offers cover at out-half.

Leinster Rugby (caps in brackets):
15. Jamie Osborne (49)
14. Jordan Larmour (109)
13. Liam Turner (29)
12. Charlie Tector (9)
11. Jimmy O’Brien (82)
10. Ross Byrne (163)
9. Luke McGrath (213)

1. Cian Healy (280)
2. Gus McCarthy (2)
3. Thomas Clarkson (42)
4. Brian Deeny (23)
5. James Ryan (84)
6. Max Deegan (114)
7. Will Connors (49)
8. Jack Conan CAPTAIN (149)

Replacements
16. Lee Barron (16)
17. Michael Milne (42)
18. Rabah Slimani (1)
19. Joe McCarthy (38)
20. Josh van der Flier (143)
21. Fintan Gunne (3)
22. Harry Byrne (68)
23. Aitzol King (1)

Referee: Mike Adamson (SRU)