The Daily Star Ireland
Jordie Barrett is set to make his debut for Leinster in the upcoming Investec Champions Cup match against Bristol Bears on Sunday at Ashton Gate, as he has been named among the replacements. Barrett will cover both centre and full-back positions, with coach Leo Cullen making several changes to the starting lineup, including keeping Andrew Porter, RG Snyman, and captain Caelan Doris on the bench.
Sam Prendergast starts at out-half, following a strong showing in the Autumn Nations Series with Ireland, and he will partner Jamison Gibson-Park in the half-back positions. Robbie Henshaw and Garry Ringrose start in the centre, but Jamie Osborne is unavailable due to injury.
Hugo Keenan is also sidelined due to a wrist injury from Ireland’s win over Australia, so Ciarán Frawley takes over at full-back, with Jimmy O’Brien starting on the left wing in place of the injured James Lowe. Jordan Larmour completes the backline on the right wing.
In the forwards, 22-year-old Jack Boyle makes his Champions Cup debut, starting at loosehead prop alongside Rónan Kelleher and Rabah Slimani in the front row. Joe McCarthy and James Ryan form the second row, while Jack Conan leads the team from number 8, flanked by Joh van der Flier and Max Deegan.
Leinster’s lineup is as follows
Ciarán Frawley; Jordan Larmour, Garry Ringrose, Robbie Henshaw, Jimmy O’Brien; Sam Prendergast, Jamison Gibson-Park; Jack Boyle, Rónan Kelleher, Rabah Slimani; Joe McCarthy, James Ryan; Max Deegan, Josh van der Flier, Jack Conan (captain). Replacements: Gus McCarthy, Andrew Porter, Tom Clarkson, RG Snyman, Caelan Doris, Luke McGrath, Ross Byrne, Jordie Barrett.
Meanwhile, Munster has also chosen to keep their captain, Tadhg Beirne, on the bench for their Pool 3 match against Stade Francais at Thomond Park on Saturday. After a full run during the Autumn Nations Series, Beirne will be rested, but the rest of the Irish internationals return to the starting lineup.
Diarmuid Barron, who captains the team at hooker, is joined by John Ryan and new signing Dian Bleuler in the front row. Evan O’Connell, making his Champions Cup debut, partners Fineen Wycherley in the second row. Peter O’Mahony plays blindside flanker, with Alex Kendellen at openside and Gavin Coombes at number 8.
Craig Casey and Jack Crowley start in the half-backs, while Billy Burns and Paddy Patterson are on the bench. The centre pairing remains the same, with Alex Nankivell and Tom Farrell, and Shane Daly makes his 100th appearance for Munster at full-back, with Calvin Nash and Thaakir Abrahams on the wings.
Munster’s lineup
Shane Daly; Calvin Nash, Tom Farrell, Alex Nankivell, Thaakir Abrahams; Jack Crowley, Craig Casey; Dian Bleuler, Diarmuid Barron (captain), John Ryan; Evan O’Connell, Fineen Wycherley; Peter O’Mahony, Alex Kendellen, Gavin Coombes. Replacements: Niall Scannell, Kieran Ryan, Stephen Archer, Tadhg Beirne, John Hodnett, Paddy Patterson, Billy Burns, Jack O’Donoghue.
Ulster, meanwhile, seems to be looking ahead to next week’s home game against Bordeaux, as they have several returning Ireland internationals on the bench for Sunday’s Pool 1 match against defending champions Toulouse. Stuart McCloskey starts in the backline, while Rob Herring, Tom O’Toole, Iain Henderson, Cormac Izuchukwu, and Nick Timoney are among the substitutes.
Ulster’s front row remains unchanged from last week’s loss to Leinster, with James McCormick, Eric O’Sullivan, and Scott Wilson. Alan O’Connor captains the team from the second row, with Harry Sheridan replacing Kieran Treadwell. James McNabney shifts from blindside to number 8, flanked by the Rea brothers, Marcus and Matty.
In the backline, McCloskey returns to inside-centre, partnering Ben Carson, with Nathan Doak and Aidan Morgan at half-back. Werner Kok and Michael Lowry remain on the wings, with Stewart Moore at full-back.
Ulster’s lineup
Stewart Moore; Werner Kok, Ben Carson, Jude Postlethwaite, Michael Lowry; Aidan Morgan, Nathan Doak; Eric O’Sullivan, James McCormick, Scott Wilson; Alan O’Connor (captain), Kieran Treadwell; James McNabney, Nick Timoney, David McCann. Replacements: Tom Stewart, Andrew Warwick, Corrie Barrett, Harry Sheridan, Marcus Rea, John Cooney, James Humphreys, Ben Moxham.
Connacht will field a mix of experienced players and newcomers for their EPCR Challenge Cup opener against Zebre Parma at Dexcom Stadium on Saturday. Head coach Pete Wilkins has named a team that includes two players marking significant milestones for the club. Caolin Blade and Paul Boyle will make their 200th and 100th appearances, respectively, with Boyle co-captaining alongside Cathal Forde.
Winger Chay Mullins, who represented Ireland in the Sevens at the Paris Olympics, will make his debut on the right wing, while academy players Fiachna Barrett and Seán Naughton could make their first appearances from the bench.
In the backline, Shane Jennings starts at full-back, with Mullins and Santiago Cordero on the wings. David Hawkshaw, who impressed off the bench last week, starts at 13, with Jack Carty at out-half. In the forwards, Jack Aungier retains his spot at tighthead, with Jordan Duggan and Dylan Tierney-Martin at loosehead and hooker. Darragh Murray and Oisín Dowling make up the new second row. Shamus Hurley-Langton, Connacht’s Player of the Year last season, starts at openside flanker, with Josh Murphy on the opposite side.
Connacht’s lineup
Shane Jennings; Chay Mullins, David Hawkshaw, Cathal Forde, Santiago Cordero; Jack Carty, Caolin Blade; Jordan Duggan, Dylan Tierney-Martin, Jack Aungier; Darragh Murray, Oisín Dowling; Josh Murphy, Shamus Hurley-Langton, Paul Boyle. Replacements: Eoin de Buitléar, Temi Lasisi, Fiachna Barrett, David O’Connor, Oisín McCormack, Matthew Devine, Seán Naughton, Byron Ralston.
