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Irish provinces declare sides before November internationals

RG Snyman of Leinster passes the ball to teammate Garry Ringrose (Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile via Getty Images).

Leinster, Munster, Connacht, and Ulster have all named their starting 23s for the final round of the United Rugby Championship before the Autumn Nations Series this November.

Here is an update on each side named by their respective coaches.

Leinster:

Starting with Leinster, who will face the Emirates Lions at the Aviva Stadium later today, Leo Cullen, the Leinster head coach, has selected a strong side to take on the South Africans.

Robbie Henshaw will make his first appearance of the season for Cullen's side, providing a timely boost for Andy Farrell, the Ireland head coach. He starts alongside Hugh Cooney in midfield.

Sam Prendergast and Luke McGrath are paired together as the province's half-backs.

James Lowe and Andrew Osborne start as wingers alongside Hugo Keenan.

In the back row, Caelen Doris starts beside Josh van der Flier and Max Deegan.

Ryan Baird and RG Snyman provide cover in the second row.

Up front, Gus McCarthy, Rabah Slimani, and Michael Milne complete the front row.

The game kicks off at 5:15 pm and will be broadcast live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player.

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 (captain)

Replacements: Stephen Smyth, Andrew Porter, Thomas Clarkson, Brian Deeny, James Culhane, Cormac Foley, Ross Byrne, Charlie Tector

🚨 | 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗻𝗲𝘄𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝗻

Here is your Leinster Rugby team to face Emirates Lions tomorrow evening! 👇#LEIvLIO #FromTheGroundUp pic.twitter.com/OToJKM3WnN

— Leinster Rugby (@leinsterrugby) October 25, 2024

Munster:

Graham Rowntree’s side will face the Sharks later today, with four changes made for the Cape Town visit.

Rory Scannell starts in the centre alongside Tom Farrell.

Craig Casey and Jack Crowley are Munster's halfbacks, while Mike Haley, Calvin Nash, and Sean O’Brien start in the back three.

In the forwards, John Ryan, Stephen Archer, and Niall Scannell form the front row.

Tadhg Beirne captains the team from the second row, partnered with Jean Kleyn.

John Hodnett, Tom Ahern, and Jack O’Donoghue complete the back row.

The game starts at 4 pm local time (3 pm Irish) and will be broadcast live on TG4.

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.

Team News is in ✊

🤝 Farrell & Scannell in the centre
1⃣ Foxe in line for his Munster debut
🇿🇦 Round 6 in Durban#SUAF 🔴 | #SHAvMUN

— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) October 25, 2024

Connacht:

Connacht will play against the Dragons in Galway later today.

Head coach Pete Wilkins has made three changes to his side for the game.

Piers O'Connor, Shayne Bolton, and Santiago Cordero start in the back three.

Bundee Aki and Cathal Forde start in midfield, while the backline is completed by the halfback duo of Jack Carty and Caolin Blade.

In the forwards, Peter Dooley, Dylan Tierney-Martin, and Finlay Bealham start in the front row.

Joe Joyce and Niall Murray provide engine cover in the second row, while Cian Prendergast, Sean O'Brien, and Paul Boyle complete the team from the back row.

The game begins at 7:35 pm.

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, and Hugh Gavin.

🟢 𝐓𝐄𝐀𝐌 𝐍𝐄𝐖𝐒 🦅

🔒 in for tomorrow against the @dragonsrfc 👊

🔗https://t.co/YislusbMoo #OneConnacht | @Genesys pic.twitter.com/367InPLAKn

— Connacht Rugby (@connachtrugby) October 25, 2024

Ulster:

Ulster head coach Richie Murphy has made six changes to his side for their trip to Cardiff.

Eric O'Sullivan, James McCormick, and Tom O'Toole make up Ulster's front row.

Captain Ian Henderson and Kieran Treadwell provide engine cover in the second row, while Cormac Izuchukwu, Nick Timoney, and David McCann complete the back row.

In the backline, Ethan McIlroy, Werner Kok, and Mike Lowry form the province's back three.

Aidan Morgan partners with Nathan Doak as Ulster's halfbacks, with Jude Postlethwaite and Stuart McCloskey in the midfield.

The game kicks off at 7:35 pm and will be broadcast live on Premier Sports and URC.tv.

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 (captain), 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

📋 🔴 Team news is in!

Your Ulster side to take on @Cardiff_Rugby tomorrow 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 pic.twitter.com/k5gmxThTQN

— Ulster Rugby (@UlsterRugby) October 25, 2024

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