Oct 26,2024
The Ireland international’s campaign had been delayed by a minor injury but returns as one of ten changes from last week’s win against Connacht in Galway.
Head coach Leo Cullen has shuffled his deck for the final game before the international break, but the province are still able to call on several frontline Ireland internationals, including captain Caelan Doris.
The newly appointed Ireland skipper comes in for James Culhane, while Josh van der Flier also starts in the back row, with Max Deegan retaining his place at blindside flanker.
Ryan Baird makes his return from concussion, starting his first game of the season alongside RG Snyman in the second row.
Up front, Gus McCarthy and Rabah Slimani keep their places, with Michael Milne starting at loosehead, and Andrew Porter providing experience off the bench.
Cullen has changed up his half-backs, with Sam Prendergast and Luke McGrath paired together this week, while Hugh Cooney makes his first start for the province following his debut last week, joining Henshaw in the centre.
James Lowe is back in the side on the left wing, while Andrew Osborne and Hugo Keenan remain in situ following the bonus-point win at the Dexcom Stadium.
Leinster: Hugo Keenan; Andrew Osborne, Hugh Cooney, Robbie Henshaw, James Lowe; Sam Prendergast, Luke McGrath; Michael Milne, Gus McCarthy, Rabah Slimani; RG Snyman, Ryan Baird; Max Deegan, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris (capt)
Replacements: Stephen Smyth, Andrew Porter, Thomas Clarkson, Brian Deeny, James Culhane, Cormac Foley, Ross Byrne, Charlie Tector
Munster’s frontline Ireland internationals all start in their final game of the block, with Graham Rowntree’s side facing a huge challenge against a Springbok-laden Sharks on Saturday (3pm).
Rowntree has made four changes to his team following last week’s defeat to the Stormers in Cape Town.
Alex Nankivell is sidelined through injury, but Rory Scannell comes into the centre for his first appearance of the season. Scannell hasn't played since suffering an ankle injury in the province’s final regular-season game against Ulster in May, and partners Tom Farrell in midfield.
Craig Casey returns to the side to start alongside Jack Crowley in the half-backs, while Seán O’Brien moves from centre to the left wing in the absence of Shane Daly, while Mike Haley and Calvin Nash keep their places in the backfield.
Up front, John Ryan will provide loosehead cover with Jeremy Loughman now injured, while Stephen Archer and Niall Scannell join him in the front row.
Tadhg Beirne captains the team from second row, where he is joined once again by Jean Kleyn.
The final change to the starting team sees John Hodnett come in at openside flanker alongside Tom Ahern and Jack O’Donoghue, with Alex Kendellen dropping to the bench, and Gavin Coombes out of the matchday 23.
Academy prop Ronan Foxe is in line to make his debut for Munster off the bench, while hooker Diarmuid Barron is available again after a concussion.
Munster: Mike Haley; Calvin Nash, Tom Farrell, Rory Scannell, Seán O’Brien; Jack Crowley, Craig Casey; John Ryan, Niall Scannell, Stephen Archer; Jean Kleyn, Tadhg Beirne (C); Tom Ahern, John Hodnett, Jack O’Donoghue.
Replacements: Diarmuid Barron, Kieran Ryan, Ronan Foxe, Fineen Wycherley, Ruadhán Quinn, Ethan Coughlan, Billy Burns, Alex Kendellen.
Jack Carty (above) and Bundee Aki both start for Connacht, as they look to cap off the opening block with a third win of the season against the Dragons (Saturday 7.35pm).
Aki, who has been the subject of rumours around a possible move to Toulon when his contract expires at the end of this season, starts in the centre for the fourth game in a row, but head coach Pete Wilkins has re-jigged his team with six changes from last week’s defeat to Leinster.
Carty makes just his second appearance of the season at out-half, and partners Blade in the half-backs, who makes his first start of the campaign.
Cathal Forde, who scored a try off the bench in last week’s defeat, replaces the injured David Hawkshaw in midfield.
Mack Hansen isn’t risked, with the Ireland international carrying a hip injury, while the back three is unchanged with Santiago Cordero, Shayne Bolton and Piers O’Conor completing the backline.
In the pack, Dylan Tierney-Martin comes in for Dave Heffernan at hooker, which is a strong indication that the latter is in line to feature for Ireland against the All Blacks in two weeks.
Peter Dooley starts ahead of Denis Buckley at loosehead, while Finlay Bealham keeps his spot at tighthead.
Niall Murray comes in for younger brother Darragh to partner Joe Joyce in the second row, while it’s an unchanged back row of captain Cian Prendergast and Sean O’Brien on the flanks, with Paul Boyle at number 8.
Connacht: Piers O'Conor; Shayne Bolton, Cathal Forde, Bundee Aki, Santiago Cordero; Jack Carty, Caolin Blade; Peter Dooley, Dylan Tierney-Martin, Finlay Bealham; Joe Joyce, Niall Murray; Cian Prendergast (capt), Sean O'Brien, Paul Boyle.
Replacements: Eoin De Buitléar, Denis Buckley, Jack Aungier, Darragh Murray, Sean Jansen, Matthew Devine, Josh Ioane, Hugh Gavin.
Ulster head coach Richie Murphy has made six changes to his side for their trip to Cardiff (Saturday, 7.35pm), but in-form Jacob Stockdale (above) is among those not involved.
The wing, who scored two tries in last week’s win against the Ospreys, isn't included in the matchday squad, and the province haven’t clarified whether he is injured or rested.
The starting team does include five players who were called up to this week’s Ireland squad, with captain Iain Henderson among them.
The lock missed last week’s win due to a concussion, and starts in a changed second row alongside Kieran Treadwell.
Nick Timoney also returns to the side after missing last week, slotting straight in at seven in place of Marcus Rea, with Cormac Izuchukwu and David McCann retained.
The front row trio is unchanged, with Eric O’Sullivan and Tom O’Toole packing down either side of James McCormick.
Nathan Doak swaps in for John Cooney at scrum-half, while Aidan Morgan continues in the 10 shirt.
Jude Postlethwaite is fit again to start alongside Stuart McCloskey in the centre, while Ethan McIlroy starts at full-back, with Mike Lowry moving across to the wing.
Ulster: Ethan McIlroy; Werner Kok, Jude Postlethwaite, Stuart McCloskey, Mike Lowry; Aidan Morgan, Nathan Doak; Eric O’Sullivan, James McCormick, Tom O’Toole; Iain Henderson (capt), Kieran Treadwell; Cormac Izuchukwu, Nick Timoney, David McCann;
Replacements: John Andrew, Andrew Warwick, Scott Wilson, Harry Sheridan, Marcus Rea, John Cooney, Ben Carson, Ben Moxham.
