Ciarán Frawley appears destined to don the number 10 shirt for the Leinster team during the showpiece BKT URC match against Munster at Croke Park on the forthcoming Saturday, with a 5.45pm start. The outhalf selection for this encounter was anticipated to be one of the major choices during the initial month of the season, considering the four-player race for this role.
It is believed that Frawley’s value has notably appreciated both to Leinster and Ireland if he is declared as the outhalf during the Friday midday line-ups. This is owing to his crucial contributions in achieving a series-equalising victory against the Springboks last July in Durban by scoring two deciding drop goals. Although Frawley narrowly missed a drop goal in the Champions Cup final that might have won the game against Toulouse before it went into overtime.
Despite playing 90 games for Leinster, his seasonal comeback in Treviso last Saturday’s 35-5 victory over Benetton was only his 13th time starting as an outhalf for the province. Frawley only played as number 10 twice last season during the Champions Cup’s pool stages, against Sale and Stade Francais, due to injuries to both Ross Byrne and Harry Byrne. Last weekend’s premature exit of Jimmy O’Brien in the 37th minute in Treviso prompted Frawley’s shift to centre, making it likely that the Leinster management and Leo Cullen could consider him more for this position.
With more than 75,000 tickets already sold, a standout performance from Frawley during this significant match could essentially cement his place in the team. However, Sam Prendergast, who is currently on the Emerging Ireland tour, may potentially start in the away game against Connacht next week.