Ciarán Frawley gets his chance to shine as Leinster's next 10

It says a lot that, even with the return of nine Ireland internationals to their team, including James Ryan, Josh van der Flier and Garry Ringrose, it was the selection of Ciarán Frawley that set tongues wagging.

The future of 'number 10' has arguably been discussed more in Irish rugby circles than it has in the UK in recent months, and now it seems Frawley is getting his opportunity to audition for it.

While he's covered out-half at stages in games over the last couple of seasons, the 24-year-old only has one start at 10 in the last couple of seasons, where he led an second-string outfit well against the Stormers in Cape Town back in April.

It's become apparent though that Ireland head coach Andy Farrell rates the Skerries native as an out-half, showing good flashes in his appearances for an Ireland XV against the Maori All Blacks over the summer, while he's also set to get further experience in that position for Emerging Ireland on their upcoming tour of South Africa.

The bulk of that Emerging Ireland squad will sit out this weekend's BKT United Rugby Championship games as they meet for a mini-camp in Dublin before flying to Bloemfontein on Sunday. And in that regard, it was notable to see Frawley allowed skip the camp in Abbotstown, in favour of getting a run-out for his province tonight, particularly with the number 10 shirt on his back.

With established Ireland internationals named both in the backline outside him, and in the pack in front of him, tonight's URC meeting with Benetton at the RDS is an ideal window into Frawley's future potential in the position.

"He has covered 10 for us, and played at 10 for us a number of times before," head coach Leo Cullen said.

"With Ross [Byrne] and Harry [Byrne] there as well it's