Penny returns to captain Leinster in Connacht clash

Leo Cullen has recalled Scott Penny to the Leinster team for their inter-pro game with Connacht in the Sportsgrounds.

Scott Penny returns to captain the team, with hooker Rónan Kelleher in line to make his 50th appearance for Leinster.

After replacing the injured Ross Byrne in last week’s win over Munster, Ciarán Frawley starts against Connacht at full-back. Whereas, Rob Russell and Jamie Osborne are on the wing.

It’s Osborne’s first start on the wing in over a year, having already featured at 12 and 13 this season. While Russell is set for his first start of the campaign.

Indeed, Charlie Ngatai and Robbie Henshaw are partnered together in the centre for the first time this season. While Ben Murphy and Harry Byrne start together for the first time in the half-backs.

In the pack, Kelleher is joined in the front row by the returning Ed Byrne and Michael Ala’alatoa. Whereas, Byrne missed the opening six weeks of the season with a hamstring injury.

Whereas, Ryan Baird and Jason Jenkins are in the second row together for the first time this season. Indeed, Captain Penny is joined by Max Deegan and James Culhane in the back-row.

Meanwhile, in the replacements, Cian Healy is set to make his first Leinster appearance of the season, after missing the Rugby World Cup through injury.

Leinster: 15. Ciarán Frawley, 14. Rob Russell, 13. Robbie Henshaw, 12. Charlie Ngatai, 11. Jamie Osborne, 10. Harry Byrne, 9. Ben Murphy, 1. Ed Byrne, 2. Rónan Kelleher, 3. Michael Ala’alatoa, 4. Ryan Baird, 5. Jason Jenkins, 6. Max Deegan, 7. Scott Penny (C), 8. James Culhane

Replacements: 16. Lee Barron, 17. Cian Healy, 18. Tadhg Furlong, 19. Ross Molony, 20. Jack Conan, 21. Cormac Foley, 22. Liam Turner, 23. Will Connors.