MUNSTER AND CONNACHT have unveiled their starting sides for their respective games tomorrow night as the URC returns to action this weekend.
Lock Evan O’Connell is one of four Academy players included in the Munster side to face Emirates Lions at Thomond Park, [KO 7.35pm, Premier Sports 1 and TG4 Player].
O’Connell will start on his URC debut, while loosehead prop Dan Bleuler makes his Munster debut after signing for the province on a short-term deal. Summer signing Thaakir Abrahams returns from injury on the wing for his first appearance since September.
Alex Nankivell is back in midfield for his third appearance of the season having missed the last three games due to a hip injury.
Winger Shay McCarthy and flanker Ruadhán Quinn are the other Academy players named to start, while prop Kieran Ryan is on the bench. Stephen Archer is also listed amongst the replacements, set for his 290th Munster appearance, while Shane Daly returns from a leg injury to be part of the squad.
Tom Ahern was unavailable due to a knock. Diarmuid Barron will captain the team, while Alex Kendellen returns from Ireland camp to start in the back row with Jack O’Donoghue and Gavin Coombes.
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Our 2⃣3⃣ to face @LionsRugbyCo at Thomond Park tomorrow night 💥
He’ll play alongside Niall Murray, while hooker Dave Heffernan returns fromm Irelandy duty to be selected, while Josh Murphy returns from suspension to start in the back row. In the backs Jack Carty starts at out-half with scrum-half Ben Murphy alongside him.
The bench includes props Jordan Duggan who will make his 50th appearance for the club if called upon, and Sam Illo who has recovered from injury which has kept him out since the end of September.
🟢 𝐓𝐄𝐀𝐌 𝐍𝐄𝐖𝐒 🦅
Reporting for duty 🫡 Your Connacht team to take on the @BlueBullsRugby tomorrow at Dexcom Stadium.
15. Mike Haley
14. Shay McCarthy
13, Tom Farrell
12. Alex Nankivell
11. Thaakir Abrahams
10. Billy Burns
9. Ethan Coughlan
1. Dian Bleuler
2. Diarmuid Barron (captain)
3. John Ryan
4. Evan O’Connell,
5. Fineen Wycherley
6. Jack O’Donoghue
7. Alex Kendellen
8. Gavin Coombes
Replacements:
16. Niall Scannell
17. Kieran Ryan
18. Stephen Archer
19. Ruadhán Quinn
20. John Hodnett
21. Paddy Patterson
22. Tony Butler
23. Shane Daly
Connacht
15. Shane Jennings
14. Shayne Bolton
13. Piers O’Conor
12. Cathal Forde
11. Santiago Cordero
10. Jack Carty
9. Ben Murphy
1. Denis Buckley
2. Dave Heffernan
3. Jack Aungier
4. Joe Joyce (captain)
5. Niall Murray
6. Josh Murphy
7. Conor Oliver
8. Sean Jansen
Replacements:
16. Dylan Tierney-Martin
17. Jordan Duggan
18. Sam Illo
19. Darragh Murray
20. Paul Boyle
21. Caolin Blade
22. David Hawkshaw
23. Shamus Hurley-Langton
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Munster and Connacht unveil starting sides as URC action returns
MUNSTER AND CONNACHT have unveiled their starting sides for their respective games tomorrow night as the URC returns to action this weekend.
Lock Evan O’Connell is one of four Academy players included in the Munster side to face Emirates Lions at Thomond Park, [KO 7.35pm, Premier Sports 1 and TG4 Player].
O’Connell will start on his URC debut, while loosehead prop Dan Bleuler makes his Munster debut after signing for the province on a short-term deal. Summer signing Thaakir Abrahams returns from injury on the wing for his first appearance since September.
Alex Nankivell is back in midfield for his third appearance of the season having missed the last three games due to a hip injury.
Winger Shay McCarthy and flanker Ruadhán Quinn are the other Academy players named to start, while prop Kieran Ryan is on the bench. Stephen Archer is also listed amongst the replacements, set for his 290th Munster appearance, while Shane Daly returns from a leg injury to be part of the squad.
Tom Ahern was unavailable due to a knock. Diarmuid Barron will captain the team, while Alex Kendellen returns from Ireland camp to start in the back row with Jack O’Donoghue and Gavin Coombes.
Joe Joyce captains the Connacht team that will face Vodacom Bulls tomorrow at Dexcom Stadium, [KO 5.30pm, RTÉ 2].
He’ll play alongside Niall Murray, while hooker Dave Heffernan returns fromm Irelandy duty to be selected, while Josh Murphy returns from suspension to start in the back row. In the backs Jack Carty starts at out-half with scrum-half Ben Murphy alongside him.
The bench includes props Jordan Duggan who will make his 50th appearance for the club if called upon, and Sam Illo who has recovered from injury which has kept him out since the end of September.
Munster
15. Mike Haley
14. Shay McCarthy
13, Tom Farrell
12. Alex Nankivell
11. Thaakir Abrahams
10. Billy Burns
9. Ethan Coughlan
1. Dian Bleuler
2. Diarmuid Barron (captain)
3. John Ryan
4. Evan O’Connell,
5. Fineen Wycherley
6. Jack O’Donoghue
7. Alex Kendellen
8. Gavin Coombes
Replacements:
16. Niall Scannell
17. Kieran Ryan
18. Stephen Archer
19. Ruadhán Quinn
20. John Hodnett
21. Paddy Patterson
22. Tony Butler
23. Shane Daly
Connacht
15. Shane Jennings
14. Shayne Bolton
13. Piers O’Conor
12. Cathal Forde
11. Santiago Cordero
10. Jack Carty
9. Ben Murphy
1. Denis Buckley
2. Dave Heffernan
3. Jack Aungier
4. Joe Joyce (captain)
5. Niall Murray
6. Josh Murphy
7. Conor Oliver
8. Sean Jansen
Replacements:
16. Dylan Tierney-Martin
17. Jordan Duggan
18. Sam Illo
19. Darragh Murray
20. Paul Boyle
21. Caolin Blade
22. David Hawkshaw
23. Shamus Hurley-Langton
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Connacht Munster Rugby Teamsheets