Ciarán Frawley set for 100th Leinster cap as Leo Cullen names team to face Zebre Parma
Ciarán Frawley is in line to earn his 100th Leinster cap as Leo Cullen names his team to take on Zebre Parma in Round 17 of the BKT United Rugby Championship on Saturday.
Frawley though will have to wait as he has been named amongst the replacements for the clash at the Aviva Stadium (Kick off is at 5.15pm, live on RTÉ News Channel, RTÉ Player and Premier Sports 1).
Six players who will make the trip to Australia with the British and Irish Lions this summer — Jack Conan, Josh van der Flier, Rónan Kelleher, Joe McCarthy, James Lowe and Garry Ringrose — have been named in the starting XV, with another three on the bench.
James Ryan, who was named in Andy Farrell's Lions squad on Thursay, is set to make his first appearance in blue since January after recovering from injury to take his place among the replacements alongside fellow Lions tourists Andrew Porter and Jamison Gibson-Park.
Conan captains the team from number eight with van der Flier and Ryan Baird on the flanks behind an engine room of Joe McCarthy and Academy second row Diarmuid Mangan.
Jack Boyle and Thomas Clarkson will pack down either side of Kelleher in a new-look front row. Luke McGrath comes in at scrum-half alongside Sam Prendergast at ten, while Jordie Barrett partners Ringrose in the centre.
Lowe joins Jimmy O'Brien on the wings, with Jamie Osborne coming in at full-back to complete the starting team.
Lions trio Ryan, Porter and Gibson-Park help make up a formidable bench. John McKee provides cover at hooker with Rabah Slimani the other front row option and James Culhane covering the back row.
Robbie Henshaw has been named among the replacements alongside Ciarán Frawley, who will make his 100th Leinster appearance if he is introduced to the action.
Elsewhere, Connacht have named their team for Saturday's URC meeting with Edinburgh Rugby at Dexcom Stadium (kick off is at 3pm).
Less than 24 hours after his second British & Irish Lions selection, Bundee Aki will make his 150th appearance for Connacht, in a centre partnership with Hugh Gavin.
Bundee Aki is announced by Board Chairman Ieuan Evans, right, during the British & Irish Lions Squad and Captain announcement. Pic: Ben McShane/Sportsfile.
Jack Carty misses out due to a minor ankle injury, so JJ Hanrahan starts at number 10 in what is his final home game for the club.
"We know our playoff hopes are out of our own hands, but that's not stopping us doing everything we can to finish this season strongly," said Interim Head Coach Cullie Tucker.
"We're aiming for 10 points across these final 2 games, starting tomorrow against a tough Edinburgh side, and then whatever happens happens after that.
"Our supporters have been brilliant to us, especially during the more difficult times, so for this final home game we want to give them something to cheer for.
"It's also the final Dexcom game for a number of our departing players, so we want to pay tribute to them in the right way, both on and off the field.
"So it should be a great occasion and we're looking forward to the challenge."
Leinster (v Zebre Parma): J Osborne, J O'Brien, G Ringrose, J Barrett, J Lowe, S Prendergast, L McGrath, J Boyle, R Kelleher, T Clarkson, J McCarthy, D Mangan, R Baird, J van der Flier, J Conan.
Replacements: Jo McKee, A Porter, R Slimani, J Ryan, J Culhane, J Gibson-Park, C Frawley, R Henshaw.
Connacht: S Cordero; S Bolton, H Gavin, B Aki, F Treacy; JJ Hanrahan, B Murphy; D Buckley, D Heffernan, F Bealham; J Murphy, D Murray; C Prendergast, C Oliver, S Jansen.
Replacements: D Tierney-Martin, P Dooley, J Aungier, O Dowling, P Boyle, C Blade, C Forde, D Hawkshaw.
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