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PREVIEW: Some Big Hitters Return for Leinster’s Clash with Glasgow

Leinster have welcomed back a few star men ahead of hosting the Glasgow Warriors

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Photo By Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile via Getty Images

Leinster have been able to call up a few international stars for their match with Glasgow Warriors at the RDS on Saturday at 15 00.

The most noticeable names on the team sheet are Robbie Henshaw and Devin Toner who both make their first appearances since Ireland’s loss to England in the Six Nations.

It provides the duo with an opportunity to prove their fitness ahead of next week’s Champions Cup semi-final against Toulouse.

Also returning to the set-up are the likes of Rob Kearney, Jordan Larmour, Ross Byrne and Sean O’Brien, who captains the side in what could be his last ever game in the RDS.

Ed Byrne, James Tracy, and Michael Bent start in the front-row, with many believing Ed Byrne could be not only the future of Leinster but Ireland rugby as Jack McGrath is set to head to Ulster in June and Cian Healy’s career ticks over.

Toner is joined by Jack Dunne in the engine room, with Dunne making his first start in blue. Behind them are Josh Murphy, O’Brien and Caelan Doris to complete the pack.

Jamison Gibson-Park is at nine and is partnered by Ross Byrne who has recovered from the cramp that forced him off against Ulster two weeks ago.

Outside them Henshaw opens at inside-centre with Joe Tomane on the outside at 13. Dave Kearney is on the left-wing, with Jordan Larmour on the right and Rob Kearney at full-back.

There is a mixture of youth and experience on the bench as Sean Cronin, Cian Healy and Tadhg Furlong are joined by Will Conors, who could play his first action of the season, Max Deegan, Hugh O’Sullivan, Ciaran Frawley and Adam Byrne.

Ahead of the game former Leinster No 10 and current backs coach Felipe Contepomi has spoken of his sides desire to win coming into the final stages of the season with places still up for grabs.

“Everyone’s hungry, it’s finals rugby now and everyone wants to be on the big dates. For you to be on the big dates you have to be performing well and the truth is that there’s a lot of competition here, so everyone is given their chance and there are a lot of hands up for places,” he said.

The home side will face a strong Glasgow team that are looking to secure top spot in Conference A.

Jamie Bhatti, Fraser Brown and Zander Fagerson take the first three places in the pack, with Scott Cummings and Jonny Gray slotting in behind them.

Rob Harley, Chris Fusaro and Matt Fagerson are at six, seven and eight respectively in what is a powerful pack.

The backs are equally as strong with Ali Price beginning the game at scrum-half alongside Adam Hastings who is at out-half. Sam Johnson and Kyle Steyn pair up outside them in the centre.

Nikola Matawalu and Tommy Seymour are on the wings, with Stuart Hogg at 15.

There is plenty to call on from the bench if needed too with players like Grant Stewart, D’Arcy Rae, Peter Horne and Huw Jones raring to go.

The game sees to the two conference leaders go head-to-head in the second-last regular season game of the competition for them. Leinster have been long guaranteed top spot in Conference B but will be looking to improve their domestic form before heading into next weekend’s Champions Cup semi-final. However, Glasgow will know that a win at Leinster coupled with a loss for Munster against Benetton would secure top spot in Conference A. So, everything is still to play for when these two titans come together on Saturday.


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Ulster ready for interpro derby against Connacht in Belfast

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Ulster ready for interpro derby against Connacht in Belfast

41 minutes ago

Fixture News

Ulster Head Coach, Richie Murphy, has named his Ulster side to take on Connacht on Saturday night in Round 4 of the BKT United Rugby Championship (kick-off 8pm).

Iain Henderson captains the side and is joined in the second row by Kieran Treadwell.

Prop, Andrew Warwick, and lock, Alan O’Connor, are in line for their 200th Ulster caps this weekend.

Limited tickets are still available for Saturday’s big game via the link below.

Warwick starts at loosehead prop, joined by experienced hooker, John Andrew, and Irish international prop, Tom O’Toole, at tighthead prop.

In the back row, David McCann, starts as the openside flanker, with Sean Reffell starting on the blindside.

Nick Timoney starts at eight and marks a milestone of his own, making his 150th cap for Ulster.

The half-back partnership this weekend sees John Cooney start alongside Aidan Morgan, who has two tries in his opening three matches for Ulster.

After scoring a superb individual try against the Bulls last weekend, Jacob Stockdale, starts on the left wing, with Werner Kok making his first start at Kingspan Stadium on the right wing.

Jude Postlethwaite returns to the team, following an impressive Emerging Ireland tour, that saw the Lisburn man score a try against Western Force last weekend, before being released to play for the province.

He starts at inside centre and is joined by Stewart Moore, who scored a great try last weekend against the Bulls.

Ethan McIlroy starts at full-back, completing the back-field.

Murphy opts for a 5:3 split on the bench, with James McCormick, Callum Reid, Corrie Barrett, Alan O’Connor and Marcus Rea providing the forward replacement options.

Nathan Doak, Ben Carson and Mike Lowry provide the back options from the bench.

Ulster Rugby v Connacht Rugby, Saturday 12 October, 8pm, Kingspan Stadium (Live on BBC Two, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sounds, Premier Sports and TG4):

(1-8) Andrew Warwick, John Andrew, Tom O’Toole, Iain Henderson (C), Kieran Treadwell, David McCann, Sean Reffell, Nick Timoney;

(15-9) Ethan McIlroy, Werner Kok, Stewart Moore, Jude Postlethwaite, Jacob Stockdale, Aidan Morgan, John Cooney.

Replacements: James McCormick, Callum Reid, Corrie Barrett, Alan O’Connor, Marcus Rea, Nathan Doak, Ben Carson, Mike Lowry.

The Opposition:

Images & Content – Ulster Rugby


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Squad Update | Munster Prepare For Leinster At Croke Park

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The Munster squad started preparations on Monday ahead of Saturday’s URC round four clash against Leinster at Croke Park (5.45pm).

In player news, Seán O’Brien returns from the Emerging Ireland tour to South Africa ahead of Saturday’s game.

Following Munster’s win over Ospreys on Saturday, Oli Jager (neck) and Peter O’Mahony (hamstring) are both going for scans and are unavailable this weekend.

Mike Haley has a leg contusion and his availability will be determined later in the week.

There is good news for Tom Ahern (ankle) and Alex Nankivell (shoulder) as they are both returning to training this week. Their respective availability for Croke Park will be determined later in the week.

Ruadhán Quinn is following the return to play protocols and his availability will be determined later in the week.

Billy Burns is increasing his training exposure this week and the out-half’s availability will be determined later in the week.

Shane Daly is unlikely to be available this week as he continues to recover from an elbow injury.

Thaakir Abrahams sustained a low-grade thigh injury against Zebre and is unavailable this week.

Long-term absentees Rory Scannell (ankle) and Paddy Patterson (knee) are making good progress and will increase their training exposure this week.

Patrick Campbell will have surgery on a shoulder injury he sustained in AIL action last month.

Josh Wycherley will visit a specialist this week for a neck injury.

Continuing to rehab: Liam Coombes (leg), Diarmuid Kilgallen (leg), Brian Gleeson (shoulder), Cian Hurley (knee),  Edwin Edogbo (achilles), Roman Salanoa (knee).

Tickets

Saturday, November 2

Munster v All Blacks XV, Thomond Park, 5.30pm; SOLD OUT

URC Round 7: Saturday, November 30

Munster v Emirates Lions, Thomond Park, 7.35pm; Buy tickets here

Champions Cup Round 1: Saturday, December 7

Munster v Stade Francais, Thomond Park, 5:30pm; Buy tickets here

Champions Cup Round 3: Saturday, January 11

Munster v Saracens, Thomond Park, 5.30pm; Buy tickets here

URC Round 9: Friday, December 27

Munster v Leinster, Thomond Park, 7.35pm; Buy tickets here

URC Round 11: Saturday, February 15

Munster v Scarlets, Thomond Park, 5.15pm; Buy tickets here

URC Round 12: Friday, February 28

Munster v Edinburgh, Virgin Media Park, 7.35pm; Buy tickets here

URC Round 15: Saturday, April 19

Munster v Bulls, Thomond Park, 5.15pm; Buy tickets here

URC Round 17: Friday, May 9

Munster v Ulster, Thomond Park, 7.35pm; Buy tickets here

URC Round 18: Friday, May 16

Munster v Benetton, Virgin Media Park, 8pm; Buy tickets here

Images & Content from Munster Rugby


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Ulster ready to take on Vodacom Bulls in Pretoria

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Ulster ready to take on Vodacom Bulls in Pretoria

10 minutes ago

News

Ulster Head Coach, Richie Murphy, has named his Ulster side to take on Vodacom Bulls at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Round 3 of the BKT United Rugby Championship.

The starting XV features three players who make their first competitive starts in an Ulster jersey.

Hooker, James McCormick, and centre, Ben Carson, are given the nod for their first starts, with academy lock, Charlie Irvine, in line for his Ulster debut, starting in the second row alongside captain, Iain Henderson.

Joining McCormick in the front row is loosehead prop, Andrew Warwick, and tighthead prop, Corrie Barrett, who scored his first try in an Ulster shirt last weekend against Emirates Lions.

The back row features Development talent, James McNabney, at blindside flanker, with Sean Reffell starting on the openside and David McCann coming in at eight.

The half-back partnership sees Nathan Doak start at scrum-half alongside fly-half, Aidan Morgan, who last weekend made it two tries in his opening two appearances for the province.

Jacob Stockdale starts on the left wing, with Werner Kok starting on the right wing. Kok also scored his first try for the province in last weekend’s match in Johannesburg.

Outside Centre, Stewart Moore, joins Ben Carson at twelve, to form the midfield partnership.

Mike Lowry completes the starting XV at full-back.

Murphy opts for a 5:3 split for the reinforcements on the bench.

Two replacements, hooker Tadgh McElroy and development fly-half, James Humphreys, are also in line to make their debuts for Ulster’s senior side.

Eric O’Sullivan, Tom O’Toole, Alan O’Connor and Nick Timoney form the forward options from the bench, with Dave Shanahan and Ben Moxham providing the back options.

Vodacom Bulls v Ulster Rugby, Saturday 5th October, 3pm, Round 3, BKT United Rugby Championship, Loftus Versfeld Stadium (Live on Premier Sports)

(1-8) Andrew Warwick, James McCormick, Corrie Barrett, Iain Henderson (C), Charlie Irvine, James McNabney, Sean Reffell, David McCann

(15-9) Mike Lowry, Werner Kok, Stewart Moore, Ben Carson, Jacob Stockdale, Aidan Morgan, Nathan Doak;

Replacements: Tadgh McElroy, Eric O’Sullivan, Tom O’Toole, Alan O’Connor, Nick Timoney, Dave Shanahan, James Humphreys, Ben Moxham.

Images & Content – Ulster Rugby


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