Cian Healy is set to break records as he prepares to play his 281st game for Leinster on Friday evening against the Dragons at Aviva Stadium, surpassing the record he previously held with Devin Toner, which will secure his position as the most decorated Leinster player to date. His position for this game has him starting in the loosehead prop spot, following seven changes and a positional shift from the previous weekend’s victorious match in Edinburgh, where the score line read 35-33.
Liam Turner will step in for Garry Ringrose, Jordan Larmour will change wings making room for Jimmy O’Brien’s reappearance. Promotions from the bench to halfbacks will see Ross Byrne and Luke McGrath take the field. The starting lineup is further changed as Michael Milne takes on the role previously held by Healy in the last game, Brian Deeney steps in for Conor O’Tighearnaigh, partnering James Ryan in the second row and Will Connors replaces Scott Penny in the openside flanker role.
Leinster is also going to field players who are making their competitive debut this season. Those named include Leo Barron, Joe McCarthy and Josh van der Flier, who are recognised senior Irish internationals, as well as Fintan Gunne, Harry Byrne and Aitzol King.
The Leinster team for the match consists of Jamie Osborne, Jordan Larmour, Liam Turner, Charlie Tector, Jimmy O’Brien, Ross Byrne, Luke McGrath, Cian Healy, Gus McCarthy, Thomas Clarkson, Brian Deeny, James Ryan, Max Deegan, Will Connors and Captain Jack Conan. The replacements include Leo Barron, Michael Milne, Rabah Slimani, Joe McCarthy, Josh van der Flier, Fintan Gunne, Harry Byrne, and Aitzol King.
Representing the Dragons will be Angus O’Brien, Rio Dyer, Harry Wilson, Steff Hughes, Jared Rosser, Lloyd Evans, Dane Blacker, Rodrigo Martinez, Brodie Coghlan, Chris Coleman, Captain Ben Carter, George Nott, Ryan Woodman, Harri Keddie, Shane Lewis-Hughes. Their replacements include Oli Burrows, Rhodri Jones, Luke Yendle, Matthew Screech, George Young, Rhodri Williams, Joe Westwood, and Ewan Rosser.