RugbyTeam News

URC team news: Munster and Connacht announce sides for Thomond Park clash

Jimmy O’Brien makes first Leinster start since December against Ospreys; Ulster make five changes for trip to Scarlets

Alex Nankivell returns to the Munster line-up for Saturday's URC interpro derby against Connacht at Thomond Park. Photograph: James Crombie/Inpho

Fri May 10 2024 - 13:02

Munster have made two changes to their side from the team that beat the Lions in Johannesburg last time for Saturday’s URC interpro derby against Connacht at Thomond Park (kick-off 5.15, live on RTÉ and Premier Sports.

Both of those changes come in the backline, with Alex Nankivell returning at outside centre in place of Antoine Frisch and Craig Casey taking over from Conor Murray at scrumhalf.

Connacht head coach Pete Wilkins has made three enforced changes from the starting team that beat Dragons two weeks ago, with Peter Dooley, Paul Boyle and captain Jack Carty replacing injury absentees Denis Buckley, Cian Prendergast and JJ Hanrahan.

The other changes see Oisín Dowling start alongside Joe Joyce in the secondrow, while the fit-again Byron Ralston comes on to the left wing.

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Commenting on the game, head coach Wilkins said: “Firstly we’re incredibly excited about tomorrow’s game. These interpros, especially ones of such importance, are the kind of days you train for and look forward to all year.

“We’ve picked a 23 that we know can deliver a physical and committed performance from the first minute, because that’s what will be needed. Munster have quality players all over the field and are always a challenge to play in Limerick, but I’m confident in our squad and our game plan that we can give ourselves every opportunity if we play to our potential.”

MUNSTER: Simon Zebo; Calvin Nash, Alex Nankivell, Seán O’Brien, Shane Daly; Jack Crowley, Craig Casey; Jeremy Loughman, Niall Scannell, Stephen Archer; RG Snyman, Tadhg Beirne (capt); Peter O’Mahony, Alex Kendellen, Jack O’Donoghue.

Replacements: Eoghan Clarke, Mark Donnelly, Oli Jager, Tom Ahern, Gavin Coombes, Conor Murray, Joey Carbery, Antoine Frisch.

CONNACHT: Tiernan O’Halloran; Shane Jennings, Tom Farrell, Bundee Aki, Byron Ralston; Jack Carty (capt), Matthew Devine; Peter Dooley, Dave Heffernan, Finlay Bealham; Joe Joyce, Oisín Dowling; Shamus Hurley-Langton, Conor Oliver, Paul Boyle.

Replacements: Dylan Tierney-Martin, Jordan Duggan, Jack Aungier, Niall Murray, Sean Jansen, Caolin Blade, Cathal Forde, Jarrad Butler.

Leinster have made five changes from the side that secured a place in the Champions Cup with victory over Northampton at Croke Park last Saturday for the game against the Ospreys at the RDS on Saturday night (kick-off 7.35pm, live on TG4 and Premier Sports).

Jimmy O’Brien returns on the left wing for his first start in the URC since December 16th and after his 23 minutes of action against the Saints last weekend.

Luke McGrath comes in for Jamison Gibson-Park at scrumhalf, while there are three changes in the pack with Rónan Kelleher, Jason Jenkins and Will Connors all returning to the starting line-up.

There is a 5-3 split on the bench, with Tommy O’Brien set to feature for the first time since suffering a hamstring injury in February.

LEINSTER: Ciarán Frawley; Jordan Larmour, Jamie Osborne, Robbie Henshaw, Jimmy O’Brien; Ross Byrne, Luke McGrath; Andrew Porter, Rónan Kelleher, Tadhg Furlong; Ross Molony, Jason Jenkins; Ryan Baird, Will Connors, Caelan Doris (capt).

Replacements: Dan Sheehan, Michael Milne, Thomas Clarkson, Jack Conan, Josh van der Flier, Jamison Gibson-Park, Charlie Ngatai, Tommy O’Brien.

Ulster interim head coach Richie Murphy, has named his team to take on the Scarlets in Wales on Saturday (kick-off 3.05pm, live on Premier Sports)

Lock Alan O’Connor captains the side again this week from the second row, where he is joined by Kieran Treadwell, who makes his return from an injury sustained against DHL Stormers in Cape Town.

The frontrow sees one change from the home win over Benetton, with Rob Herring returning to the side at hooker. Herring is joined by Eric O’Sullivan at loosehead prop and Scott Wilson at tighthead prop.

The backrow has two changes, as Cormac Izuchukwu starts at blindside flanker, David McCann on the openside and a return to action for Nick Timoney in the number eight jersey.

John Cooney starts alongside Billy Burns in the halfback partnership, while the back five has one change from Benetton, with Ethan McIlroy starting on the right wing.

ULSTER: Mike Lowry; Ethan McIlroy, Will Addison, Stuart McCloskey, Jacob Stockdale; Billy Burns, John Cooney; Eric O’Sullivan, Rob Herring, Scott Wilson; Kieran Treadwell, Alan O’Connor (capt); Cormac Izuchukwu, David McCann, Nick Timoney.

Replacements: Tom Stewart, Andrew Warwick, James French, Harry Sheridan, Reuben Crothers, Nathan Doak, Stewart Moore, Dave Ewers.

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