Both Munster and Leinster have named their sides for Round 6 of the BKT United Rugby Championship this evening at the Aviva Stadium. Kick-off is at 6:30 pm, live on TG4 and Premier Sports 1.
Over 48,000 tickets have already been sold for the game, and the last remaining tickets can still be bought here.
Here's how both sides will line up for the clash:
Leinster:
Leinster has gone with their strongest possible team. Several Irish Rugby World Cup stars have been selected by Cullen. Robbie Henshaw, Ross Byrne, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong, and Jack Conan all start for the Dublin province. Five changes from last weekend's win against the Scarlets have been made by Leo Cullen.
A back-three of Hugo Keenan, Jordan Larmour, and Jimmy O'Brien starts the game. In midfield, Gary Ringrose starts alongside Robbie Henshaw. Ross Byrne and Jamison Gibson-Park start as Leinster's halfbacks.
In the front pack, the ever-present trio of Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan, and Tadhg Furlong also get the nod. Joe McCarthy and James Ryan (co-capt) start as the province's locks.
The side is completed by Conan, Josh van der Flier, and Caelan Doris.
Speaking ahead of the game, Leinster Assistant Coach Andrew Goodman said, “It’s an Interpro game, the first one of the year for us. It’s really exciting. We're excited to be playing the reigning champions. We’re doing our homework and prepping for the threats Munster will bring.”
Leinster: Hugo Keenan; Jordan Larmour, Garry Ringrose (co-capt), Robbie Henshaw, Jimmy O'Brien; Ross Byrne, Jamison Gibson-Park; Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong; Joe McCarthy, James Ryan (co-capt); Jack Conan, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris.
Replacements: Rónan Kelleher, Jack Boyle, Michael Ala'alatoa, Ross Molony, James Culhane, Ben Murphy, Ciarán Frawley, Scott Penny.
📥 | 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐌𝐮𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫!
Here is the #LeinsterRugby team to face Munster tomorrow evening in the #BKTURC#MUNvLEI #FromTheGroundUp pic.twitter.com/hqBaAUrG8B— Leinster Rugby (@leinsterrugby) November 24, 2023
Munster:
Munster has made six changes to the team that beat the Stormers.
Simon Zebo, Calvin Nash, and Shane Daly start in a back-three. In midfield, Antoine Frisch and Rory Scannell keep their partnership. Jack Crowley and Craig Casey start as Munster's 10 and 9.
Jeremy Loughman, Diarmuid Barron (capt), and Stephen Archer start in the front-row. The engine cover comes from Jean Kleyn and Tadhg Beirne. The side is completed by a trio of Tom Ahern, John Hodnett, and Gavin Coombes.
There are three Academy players among the replacements – Brian Gleeson, Tony Butler, and Shay McCarthy.
Scott Buckley, Dave Kilcoyne, and John Ryan provide the front-row backup, with Kilcoyne set for his first appearance since returning from the World Cup.
Gleeson and Alex Kendellen complete the forward cover. Conor Murray, Butler, and McCarthy are the backline replacements.
On the injury front, Peter O’Mahony (shoulder) and Jack O’Donoghue (ankle) were unavailable for selection.
Munster: Simon Zebo; Calvin Nash, Antoine Frisch, Rory Scannell, Shane Daly; Jack Crowley, Craig Casey; Jeremy Loughman, Diarmuid Barron (capt), Stephen Archer; Jean Kleyn, Tadhg Beirne; Tom Ahern, John Hodnett, Gavin Coombes.
Replacements: Scott Buckley, Dave Kilcoyne, John Ryan, Brian Gleeson, Alex Kendellen, Conor Murray, Tony Butler, Shay McCarthy.
The Munster team is in 🤩
6⃣ changes as Diarmuid Barron captains the side with Zebo, Rory Scannell, Archie, JK & Tom Ahern all starting.
Archie becomes our most-capped player of all-time on his 269th Munster appearance.
Click the pic for full details.#LEIvMUN #SUAF 🔴— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) November 24, 2023
