Irish Rugby

Image source, Inpho

Leinster have made two late changes to their starting team for their United Rugby Championship encounter with Irish interprovincial rivals Munster at Croke Park (15:15 BST).

Wing Tommy O'Brien and number eight Jack Conan - who were both named in Ireland's autumn squad earlier this week - were originally named in head coach Leo Cullen's starting line-up, but have failed fitness tests on back and knee injuries respectively.

Jordan Larmour comes in for O'Brien, with Max Deegan drafted in at number eight.

Jimmy O'Brien joins the replacements while Josh van der Flier assumes the role of captain in the absence of Conan after he also skippered the side in last week's 31-5 win over the Sharks.

Leinster: Jamie Osborne; Jordan Larmour, Garry Ringrose; Robbie Henshaw, James Lowe; Sam Prendergast, Jamison Gibson-Park; Paddy McCarthy, Ronan Kelleher, Tadhg Furlong; RG Snyman, James Ryan; Alex Soroka, Josh van der Flier (capt), Max Deegan.

Replacements: Dan Sheehan, Andrew Porter, Thomas Clarkson, Brian Deeny, Scott Penny, Fintan Gunne, Ciaran Frawley, Jimmy O'Brien.

Munster: Shane Daly; Andrew Smith, Tom Farrell, Dan Kelly, Thaakir Abrahams; Jack Crowley, Ethan Coughlan; Michael Milne, Diarmuid Barron, John Ryan; Edwin Edogbo, Fineen Wycherley; Tadhg Beirne (capt), Jack O'Donoghue, Brian Gleeson.

Replacements: Lee Barron, Jeremy Loughman, Ronan Foxe, Jean Kleyn, Gavin Coombes, Paddy Patterson, JJ Hanrahan, Alex Nankivell.

Image source, Getty Images

Ulster back row David McCann feels Saturday's game against the Sharks in Durban is "huge" in terms of setting them up for the season.

Following bonus point home victories against the Dragons and the Bulls, Richie Murphy's side face their first away assignments on their tour to South Africa with a trip to Johannesburg to take on the Lions to come next week.

Winning on the road is crucial to mounting a challenge in the URC and following last season's disappointment, McCann feels the benefits are greater than mere points on the board.

"We need to show we can do it on the road and do it consistently," he said.

"If we can do that, then belief grows. Two games into the league, we have started with a bit of confidence and belief, this weekend is huge for us in terms of going forward.

"Getting a win this weekend is huge as it puts us in a prime position. If we could follow that up next week with another, compared to last year we'd be a much better position, but it's about taking momentum and carrying it into the rest of the year."

It will be a tough assignment on Saturday (15:00 BST) against a Sharks team that contains some World Cup-winning Springboks in the heat and humidity of Durban.

McCann feels Ulster's "energy" will be crucial to their chances of success, as will a good start to the game.

"We are focusing on starting early and bringing our energy into this week as we know Sharks will be a good side, really physical and confrontational," he added.

"It's about imposing our defence on them early and our attack is set up in a way we can expose some weaknesses in their defence, especially in around those wider channels if we go deeper into phase [play]."

Image source, Getty Images

Ulster's four Ireland call-ups have been named to start against the Sharks in Durban in the United Rugby Championship on Saturday (15:00 BST).

Iain Henderson will captain the side from the second row while Nick Timoney, Stuart McCloskey and Jacob Stockdale also start as Ulster target a third straight win.

Michael Lowry has recovered from injury to return at full-back, and he will join Stockdale, who moves to the wing from 15, and former Sharks player Werner Kok in the back three.

Hooker Tom Stewart and prop Scott Wilson will start their first games of the season alongside Sam Crean in the front row.

With Cormac Izuchukwu having not travelled to South Africa because of the foot injury that ruled him out of the Ireland squad, Harry Sheridan gets the nod to start alongside Henderson in front of a back row of David McCann, Timoney and Juarno Augustus.

Nathan Doak and Jack Murphy retain their places at half-back, while McCloskey and James Hume start at centre.

Development lock Joe Hopes could make his first appearance since November 2023 off the bench.

The Sharks have named a strong team to face Ulster and have recalled five of their Rugby Championship-winning South Africa internationals in the shape of Ox Nche, Eben Etzebeth and Siya Kolisi, Grant Williams and Andre Esterhuizen.

Sharks: E van der Merwe; E Hooker, J Julius, A Esterhuizen, M Mapimpi; S Masuku, G Williams; O Nche, B Mbonambi, V Koch, E Etzebeth, M Orie, S Kolisi, V Tshituka (capt), P Buthelezi.

Replacements: F Mbatha, S Matanzima, R Dreyer, B Hlekani, E Tshituka, Jaden Hendrikse, Jordan Hendrikse, L Am.

Ulster: M Lowry; W Kok; J Hume, S McCloskey; J Stockdale; J Murphy, N Doak; S Crean, T Stewart, S Wilson; I Henderson, H Sheridan; D McCann, N Timoney, J Augustus.

Replacements: R Herring, C Reid, T O'Toole, J Hopes, S Reffell, C McKee, J Flannery, J Postlethwaite.

Image source, Inpho

Connacht have recalled their British and Irish Lions for Friday's United Rugby Championship game against the Bulls at Dexcom Stadium (19:45 BST).

Mack Hansen is named at full-back, Bundee Aki starts in the centre and Finlay Bealham returns at tight-head prop.

Scrum-half Caolin Blade and back-row forward Cian Prendergast, who were named in Ireland's autumn squad on Wednesday alongside the Lions trio, also start, with Prendergast switching to open-side flanker.

Shayne Bolton, a training panellist in the Ireland squad, starts on the left wing.

Connacht started the season with a 26-15 win over Benetton, but lost to Cardiff last week after their round two meeting with Scarlets was postponed because of Storm Amy.

"The Bulls are a formidable side, with a strong blend of power up front and pace in the back field," said Connacht head coach Stuart Lancaster.

"They were URC finalists for a reason last year, and we're expecting a response after their defeat in Ulster last week."

The Bulls make 11 changes after a 28-7 defeat by Ulster in Belfast last week, including Keagan Johannes' inclusion at fly-half with South Africa international Handre Pollard having returned home for family reasons.

Connacht: M Hansen; C Mullins, B Ralston, B Aki, S Bolton; J Ioane, C Blade; P Dooley, D Heffernan, F Bealham, D Murray, D O'Connor, J Murphy, S Jansen, C Prendergast (capt).

Replacements: D Tierney-Martin, J Duggan, J Aungier, J Joyce, S O'Brien, M Devine, S Naughton, C Forde.

Bulls: W le Roux; C Moodie, D Kriel, J Serfontein, S de Klerk; K Johannes, P de Wet; A Tshakweni, JH Wessels, W Louw, C Wiese, R Ludwig (capt), N Xaba, JJ Theron, J Rudolph.

Replacements: J Grobbelar, G Steenekamp, F Klopper, N van Rensburg, M Gumede, H Vorster, S Jacobs.

Image source, Getty Images

The Sharks have recalled five of their Rugby Championship-winning South Africa internationals for Saturday's game against Ulster in Durban (15:00 BST).

World Cup winners Ox Nche, Eben Etzebeth and Siya Kolisi all return to the Sharks pack to join international team-mates Bongi Mbonambi and Vincent Koch, who featured against Leinster in Dublin last week, for the United Rugby Championship encounter at Kings Park.

Springboks scrum-half Grant Williams and inside centre Andre Esterhuizen return to a backline which boasts a Test-level back three of Makazole Mapimpi, Ethan Hooker and Edwill van der Merwe.

Hendrikse brothers Jaden and Jordan and Lukhanyo Am are named among the replacements.

Wing Hooker, 22, says the Sharks are excited for their first home game of the season after defeats by Leinster and Glasgow and a draw with the Dragons on their European tour.

"I want to make my home team proud, the vibe is pretty good being back and you get that sense of a home feeling," said Hooker.

"We're all keen and looking forward to going out on Saturday and performing for our fans. They can look forward to this week's game as much as we are.

"We've trained really hard, exciting things are coming and we hope to see a full stadium coming out in support and watching a really good game of rugby."

Ulster, who have started the season with back-to-back wins, name their team on Friday.

Sharks: E van der Merwe; E Hooker, J Julius, A Esterhuizen, M Mapimpi; S Masuku, G Williams; O Nche, B Mbonambi, V Koch, E Etzebeth, M Orie, S Kolisi, V Tshituka (capt), P Buthelezi.

Replacements: F Mbatha, S Matanzima, R Dreyer, B Hlekani, E Tshituka, Jaden Hendrikse, Jordan Hendrikse, L Am.

Image source, Getty Images

Ulster assistant coach Mark Sexton says more Ulster players in the Irish squad is "better for everybody".

Iain Henderson, Nick Timoney, Stuart McCloskey and Jacob Stockdale were included in Andy Farrell's 34-man squad for the autumn internationals that begin with a trip to Chicago to face New Zealand on 1 November.

Cormac Izuchukwu missed out due to a foot injury that has seen him stay behind in Belfast to see a specialists as Ulster prepare for a URC game the Sharks in Durban on Saturday (15:00 BST).

Ulster will monitor his progress with Sexton saying they will assess whether the 25-year-old forward will join up with the squad for next week's game against the Lions in Johannesburg.

However, the inclusion of the Ulster quartet in Farrell's Ireland squad is a positive with Sexton paying tribute to Stockdale whose versatility saw him play at full-back in last week's 28-7 home win against the Lions.

"Jacob is unbelievably talented, you saw the last two nights he's been incredible," Sexton said in a media call from Ulster's base in Durban.

"He has size and power, has a good left-footed kicking game, is good in the air and his ability to beat players and offload, I can't speak highly enough about Jacob."

Sexton arrived in Ulster over the summer from Connacht as attack and backs coach.

He admits he can be "demanding" but in their opening two URC games, Ulster have scored 10 tries as they picked up maximum points.

It has been a good start, but Sexton feels there is still room for improvement with the "ability to finish line breaks" one area he has identified.

"We just didn't finish the last pass and that needs to get better," he said.

"Against the Bulls we were a bit cagey for 30 minutes, so I'd like to throw the shackles off.

"We're seeing lads express themselves, playing with smiles on their faces and playing to space. We're seeing exciting rugby which I am passionate about."

Matt Gault
BBC Sport NI senior journalist

Image source, Getty Images

After a successful British and Irish Lions sabbatical and some time spent promoting his book, Andy Farrell has named his Ireland squad for next month's November Tests against New Zealand, Japan, Australia and South Africa.

In a squad devoid of headline-grabbing omissions, the focus remains on who is in as opposed to who is not.

And while it is a path well-trodden at this stage, the rightful incumbent of the number 10 jersey continues to stir interest and debate.

When Farrell departed on his Lions sabbatical, Leinster's Sam Prendergast was Ireland's starting fly-half, having usurped Jack Crowley during last year's autumn Tests.

But after a strong start to his first Six Nations, Prendergast struggled in the defeat by France and dropped to the bench behind Munster's Crowley for the final game against Italy.

Farrell did not bring either player on the Lions tour, and while they each started one game over the summer, routine wins over Georgia and Portugal most likely will not shape the head coach's thinking for the All Blacks game in Chicago on 1 November.

With his squad already named, Farrell will watch Saturday's United Rugby Championship game at Croke Park between Leinster and Munster with interest.

The provinces will not name their teams until Friday lunchtime, but if Prendergast and Crowley start - having both been rested last weekend - it will be the first time they have come up against each other.

While Farrell will undoubtedly consider more than their respective performances in one URC game, it is certainly an intriguing opportunity for Prendergast and Crowley to put their hand up in what will be their last match for club or country before Soldier Field.

Matt Gault
BBC Sport NI senior journalist

Image source, Getty Images

There was no great surprise to see Caelan Doris' name in the Ireland squad for the autumn internationals.

While Doris has not played since early May because of a shoulder injury that required surgery, the back row has returned to Leinster training and has been "trending well" according to the province's head coach Leo Cullen.

Doris' inclusion is certainly a boost, but the 27-year-old lining out against the All Blacks 17 days' time seems unlikely given the amount of time he has spent on the sidelines.

Then again, Dan Sheehan recovered from a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in just six months, so it would be foolish to write Doris off at this stage.

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell can rest somewhat easy, though, knowing that he has Jack Conan ready to deputise for Doris. Conan is a six-Test Lion, so his credentials are beyond reproach at this stage.

Farrell's injury list is far from disastrous, but Hugo Keenan and Joe McCarthy are nailed-on starters, so their absences must be addressed.

Keenan's unavailability has been known for some time, and while Jamie Osborne is a clear replacement at full-back, if he is tried out in midfield, one of Mack Hansen, Jacob Stockdale or Ciaran Frawley will be asked to take the 15 shirt.

Jack Crowley also made cameos at full-back during the Six Nations but he is again poised to take on Sam Prendergast in the battle for the 10 jersey.

James Ryan is the obvious replacement for McCarthy in the second row and will expect to start against the All Blacks in Chicago, but Thomas Ahern is a relatively new face who could force his way into the reckoning over the course of the campaign that also includes home games against Japan, Australia and South Africa.

Matt Gault
BBC Sport NI senior journalist

Image source, Inpho

After a summer squad filled with uncapped players while the frontline players were on British and Irish Lions duty, Andy Farrell's panel for next month's autumn internationals has a much more settled and familiar look to it.

In fact, Paddy McCarthy is the only uncapped player in the 34-man squad for Tests against New Zealand, Japan, Australia and South Africa with Farrell - who is back from his Lions sabbatical - opting against a radical shake-up of his formula.

The Leinster loose-head prop was part of interim boss Paul O'Connell's squad for the summer Tests against Georgia and Portugal, but did not earn a cap with Jack Boyle and Michael Milne preferred.

McCarthy, 22, had a stellar Under-20 career. He was the starting tight-head in Ireland's 2023 U20 Six Nations Grand Slam triumph and was a standout performer in the U20 World Championship in South Africa later that year.

The younger brother of injured Ireland lock Joe McCarthy, he made appearances off the bench for Leinster across the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons before making his first start against the Bulls earlier this month.

McCarthy is one of eight Leinster front rowers in the squad alongside Jack Boyle, Thomas Clarkson, Tadhg Furlong, Andrew Porter, Gus McCarthy, Dan Sheehan and Ronan Kelleher.

While not officially in the squad, three more players - Edwin Edogbo, Brian Gleeson and Shayne Bolton - will travel to Chicago for the All Blacks game as "cover".

Edogbo is certainly an interesting selection. The 22-year-old Munster lock only recently returned from a near two-year injury nightmare and will have his first chance to impress the Ireland coaches.

While not uncapped, Thomas Ahern is a relatively new name in the squad. The 6ft 9ins lock played against Georgia and Portugal, but the 25-year-old could be set for the biggest month of his career.

Tommy O'Brien is the least experienced back at this level. His two caps came in the summer - yielding four tries - but he will be determined to battle Mack Hansen for the number 14 jersey. Of course, if Farrell opts to try out Hansen at full-back, O'Brien's Test career could be about to take off.

Image source, Getty Images

Cormac Izuchukwu has emerged as an injury doubt for Ireland's autumn Tests after Ulster confirmed he will see a specialist about a foot injury.

The 25-year-old forward sustained the injury in Ulster's United Rugby Championship win over the Bulls last weekend and is unavailable for Saturday's fixture against the Sharks in Durban (15:00 BST).

Izuchukwu was expected to be named in Andy Farrell's Ireland squad on Wednesday after scoring tries against the Dragons and Bulls in an impressive start to the season.

The London-born player made his Ireland debut against Fiji last year and featured in the summer tour wins over Georgia and Portugal, but an ankle injury denied him a possible Six Nations debut earlier this year.

After opening their season with back-to-back wins, Ulster face the Sharks and Lions on their South African tour before the autumn break.

Image source, Inpho

Ulster head coach Richie Murphy says he was hugely impressed by the commitment from his players in Saturday's 28-7 win over South African side Bulls.

Wilco Louw cancelled out Stuart McCloskey's try in the first half but Ulster scored three tries after the restart, through Juarno Augustus, Rob Herring and Cormac Izuchukwu, to power to victory.

It was a second bonus-point win in as many matches in the United Rugby Championship for Ulster, who have a game in hand over the majority of the league after their game in Edinburgh was postponed as a result of Storm Amy.

"Absolutely, I was blown away by their commitment, work ethic and grit to stay in the fight," Murphy said when asked if it was the best team performance since he took charge of Ulster in March 2024.

"I thought we worked really hard for each other defensively. It shows the team is building nicely and there's still loads of things we feel we can be better at.

"We have to build on it going forward now."

Ulster will now travel to South Africa for two matches against Sharks and Lions before the URC takes a break for the November internationals, and Murphy says his side are "going down there on a mission to win".

"I don't think we should worry about any team we are playing," he said.

"Going down to South Africa is obviously a very difficult place to go.

"The guys feel good about themselves at the moment and it's important we keep working hard to try and get better every week."

Image source, Inpho

Ulster prop Tom O'Toole said he is excited to face a "nearly fully strong Bulls side" in Saturday's United Rugby Championship game in Belfast (19:45 BST).

The Bulls have recalled 13 Springboks to their squad after starting the season with wins over Ospreys and Leinster in Pretoria.

Meanwhile, Ulster have had a longer break since their opening victory over the Dragons after last week's fixture against Edinburgh was postponed because of Storm Amy.

"It'll be exciting to come up against the challenge of a nearly fully strong Bulls side," O'Toole told BBC Sport NI.

"The Bulls have performed really well over the last couple of weeks and hopefully we will be able to put on one of our strongest teams with the guys we have available.

"They were in the [URC] final last year for a reason, and they have really physical set of forwards, are set-piece orientated and their backs are dynamic, really quick and really dangerous over transition."

Ulster are set to welcome wing Robert Baloucoune and prop Eric O'Sullivan back from injury ahead of this weekend's clash, but backs Michael Lowry and Jacob Stockdale are doubts.

Richie Murphy's side welcome the URC leaders to the Affidea Stadium before travelling to South Africa to face the Sharks and Lions in their final two games before the autumn break.

"It's a big few weeks coming up," the 27-year-old continued.

"We have put in a lot of good work over pre-season, so we're excited for the challenge, and it'll put us in good position to see where we are.

"Three South African teams in a row is a good challenge to see where you are."

Image source, Getty Images

Two-time Rugby World Cup winner Handre Pollard will make his first Bulls appearance in six years in Saturday's United Rugby Championship trip to Ulster (19:45 BST).

Fly-half Pollard, who rejoined the Pretoria-based club over the summer after stints with Montpellier and Leicester Tigers, is one of eight South Africa internationals in the Bulls line-up for the game in Belfast.

Like Pollard, prop Wilco Louw and centre Canan Moodie are restored to Johan Ackermann's starting team after helping the Springboks win retain the Rugby Championship.

Former Boks lock Ackermann - appointed in the summer - makes seven changes in total from last week's win over Leinster, with Cobus Wiese, Marco Staden, Jeandre Rudolph and Zak Burger also recalled.

South Africa centurion Willie le Roux is named among the replacements, while hooker Johann Grobbelaar captains the side in former Ulster flanker Marcell Coetzee's concussion-enforced absence.

"He obviously had to do a bit of homework and get to know the players and meet all the players," Ackermann said of 85-cap Springbok Pollard.

"And then the moment we step our foot on the field on Wednesday [for training], he's bringing a lot of calmness, experience and class.

"Even though it's a big challenge to only have two trainings with a team, I'm sure he will adapt well and the players will feed off his calmness and experience."

The Bulls have started the season with two wins, but in order to extend their winning sequence, Ackermann believes his players must block out the noise of the Ulster fans.

"They sing, they're noisy, they make you feel it when you make a mistake," said Ackermann, who was head coach during Ulster great David Humphreys' spell as Gloucester director of rugby.

"Those things can come under your skin that we have to control. We've tried to prep this week by making a big thing about what we can control. We don't control the crowd, the referee, the weather.

"What we control is our attitude, our mindset, our positivity."

Bulls: Devon Williams; Sebastian de Klerk, Canan Moodie, Harold Vorster, Stravino Jacobs; Handre Pollard, Zak Burger; Gerhard Steenekamp, Johann Grobbelaar (capt), Wilco Louw, Cobus Wiese, Nicolas Janse v Rensburg, Marco van Staden, Mpilo Gumede, Jeandre Rudolph.

Replacements: Juann Else, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Mornay Smith, Reinhardt Ludwig, Nama Xaba, Paul de Wet, David Kriel, Willie le Roux.