Munster has altered their line-up for this Saturday’s URC at Thomond Park against Cardiff, making six amendments to the team which triumphed over Ospreys in the previous week. Among those rejoining the starting XV are Tadhg Beirne, Peter O’Mahony, and Jack Crowley of the Ireland Internationals, the former assuming the role of team skipper. Stephen Archer joins them, along with Jeremy Loughman, and Alex Nankivell.
The dynamic trio of Mike Haley, Seán O’Brien, and Shane Daly will maintain their positions in the back three, while centre partnership will be tasked to Nankivill and Antoine Frisch once again. Serving as halfbacks are Craig Casey and Crowley.
The front row formation includes Loughman, Niall Scannell, and Archer, with RG Snyman and Beirne in the engine room. The team is rounded out by O’Mahony, John Hodnett, and Gavin Coombes.
Calvin Nash now finds himself benched due to a leg injury suffered during a recent training session.
Meanwhile, Connacht’s head coach, Pete Wilkins, has lined up seven strategic switch-ups to his team following their unfortunate defeat to the Lions the past week. For the encounter against Benetton Rugby in Italy, frontrow alterations involve the incorporation of Jordan Duggan and Dave Heffernan, while the backrow will feature Shamus Hurley-Langton and Paul Boyle.
Hindered by an injury, Caolin Blade is forced to step back from the game, and as JJ Hanrahan follows return to play protocols, the responsibility of a fresh halfback alliance is granted to Michael McDonald and Jack Carty, the latter leading as captain.
Tiernan O’Halloran, Diarmuid Kilgallen and Andrew Smith make up the full-back and wings respectively, accompanied by David Hawkshaw and Cathal Forde in midfield. Pre-game remarks from Wilkins underline the crux of the game for both teams. With only a thin margin separating fourth and 11th spots in the URC table, a single win could precipitate a significant leap in the rankings. According to Wilkins, Benetton’s team is brimming with international calibre and playing away to them in Treviso always proves a daunting mental and physical match. Rising from their prior disappointing result and performance, the team is keen to make a strong comeback and will venture to Italy with high motivation and determination to perform exemplarily.
The team for Connacht against Benetton comprises familiar faces, namely Michael McDonald, Jordan Duggan, Dave Heffernan, Jack Aungier, Niall Murray, Joe Joyce, Cian Prendergast, Shamus Hurley-Langton and Paul Boyle, led by captain Jack Carty. On the bench, they have Eoin de Buitléar, Denis Buckley, Sam Illo, Darragh Murray, Jarrad Butler, Colm Reilly, Shane Jennings and Shayne Bolton.
Ulster’s interim head coach, Richie Murphy, will have to manage without Iain Henderson, the club captain in the upcoming game against Stormers in South Africa due to his illness. Fellow countryman, Rob Herring will assume charge as the hooker. Steven Kitshoff, a world cup victor for Springbok and former team member, will join Herring in the front row at the DHL Stadium alongside Tom O’Toole, playing tighthead prop. It is also confirmed that Harry Sheridan and Kieran Treadwell will be the lock pairing after a triumphant performance resulting in scoring tries the previous week despite losing the game to Sharks.
In the back ranks, Matty Rea will be taking the helm as the blindside flanker accompanied by David McCann and Nick Timoney who retain their spots as openside flanker and number eight respectively, following their performance last weekend. The scrumhalf position will be occupied by John Cooney, who is pairing up with Nathan Doak in the pivotal role of number 10, shaping the halfback alliance.
Ethan McIlroy is all set to kick off on the left wing, and joining him in the kick-off lineup is Rob Baloucoune at the right wing. Meanwhile, Stuart McCloskey and James Hume continue their midfield partnership with Mike Lowry wrapping up the backfield as the fullback.
ULSTER’s lineup against the Stormers is as follows: Mike Lowry, Rob Baloucoune, James Hume, Stuart McCloskey and Ethan McIlroy. Playing alongside them will be Nathan Doak and John Cooney. In addition, Steven Kitshoff, Rob Herring (captain), Tom O’Toole, Harry Sheridan, Kieran Treadwell, Matty Rea, David McCann and Nick Timoney are also going pitch-side.
The replacements for the game include the likes of Tom Stewart, Andrew Warwick, Scott Wilson, Cormac Izuchukwu, Marcus Rea, Dave Shanahan, Jake Flannery and Stewart Moore.