Ulster, Leinster, and Connacht have named their respective squads for their European ties this weekend.
Leinster and Ulster will play in the Champions Cup, while Connacht will play in the Challenge Cup.
Here is each Irish side selected for the three games across Saturday and Sunday.
Leinster
Leo Cullen’s Leinster face Clermont Auvergne tomorrow in the Champions Cup at 5:30 pm at the Aviva Stadium. The game will be broadcast live on RTÉ.
Leinster have named Jordie Barrett in their starting XV for the first time. The All Black star lines up at full-back, with Liam Turner and Jimmy O’Brien on the wings.
Sam Prendergast retains the out-half jersey, partnered by Jamison Gibson-Park at scrum-half. In midfield, Garry Ringrose and Robbie Henshaw form the centre pairing.
Up front, Rónan Kelleher starts at hooker, flanked by Andrew Porter and Thomas Clarkson in the front row. Joe McCarthy and James Ryan combine in the second row, while Max Deegan, Josh van der Flier, and captain Caelan Doris complete the back row.
The bench includes the likes of Cian Healy, RG Snyman, and Ross Byrne.
Leinster Starting XV: Jordie Barrett; Liam Turner, Garry Ringrose, Robbie Henshaw, Jimmy O’Brien; Sam Prendergast, Jamison Gibson-Park; Andrew Porter, Rónan Kelleher, Thomas Clarkson; Joe McCarthy, James Ryan; Max Deegan, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris (capt).
Replacements: Gus McCarthy, Cian Healy, Rabah Slimani, RG Snyman, Jack Conan, Fintan Gunne, Ross Byrne, Andrew Osborne.
Ulster
Dan McFarland’s Ulster host Bordeaux tomorrow at 3:15 pm in the Champions Cup at Kingspan Stadium.
Ulster have handed a debut to Zac Ward, who joined the squad this season after representing Ireland Sevens at the Summer Olympics. He starts on the left wing, with Werner Kok on the right and Michael Lowry at full-back.
The half-backs remain unchanged, with Aidan Morgan at fly-half and Nathan Doak at scrum-half. Stuart McCloskey and Jude Postlethwaite form the centre partnership.
In the pack, Rob Herring makes his first start of the campaign at hooker, alongside Eric O’Sullivan and Tom O’Toole in the front row. Iain Henderson captains the side from the second row, partnered by Kieran Treadwell. The back row sees Cormac Izuchukwu, Nick Timoney, and David McCann.
Ulster Starting XV: Michael Lowry; Werner Kok, Jude Postlethwaite, Stuart McCloskey, Zac Ward; Aidan Morgan, Nathan Doak; Eric O’Sullivan, Rob Herring, 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, Dave Shanahan, James Humphreys, Rory Telfer.
Team news is in! 📋
Your Ulster side to take on @UBBrugby for our first home European clash of the season 🔥
🎟️ https://t.co/D8NjHBt4p3 pic.twitter.com/nGptOiFG8W— Ulster Rugby (@UlsterRugby) December 13, 2024
Connacht
Connacht head coach Pete Wilkins has made nine changes to his side for their Challenge Cup clash against Perpignan on Sunday. The match kicks off at 1:00 pm local time at Stade Aimé Giral.
Captain Cian Prendergast returns to lead the team from the back row. He starts alongside Shamus Hurley-Langton and Sean O'Brien.
In the backline, Sevens star Chay Mullins retains his spot on the right wing. Andrew Smith starts on the left wing, with Santiago Cordero moving to full-back.
Jack Carty continues at out-half and is partnered by Matthew Devine and Byron Ralston, and Cathal Forde maintains their centre partnership.
The front row sees Denis Buckley, Eoin de Buitléar, and Sam Illo coming into the starting XV. Joe Joyce returns from injury to partner Darragh Murray in the second row.
On the bench, former Ulster and Edinburgh hooker Adam McBurney is in line to make his Connacht debut.
Connacht Starting XV: Santiago Cordero; Chay Mullins, Byron Ralston, Cathal Forde, Andrew Smith; Jack Carty, Matthew Devine; Denis Buckley, Eoin de Buitléar, Sam Illo; Joe Joyce, Darragh Murray; Cian Prendergast (capt.), Shamus Hurley-Langton, Seán O'Brien.
Replacements: Adam McBurney, Peter Dooley, Jack Aungier, Josh Murphy, Paul Boyle, Caolin Blade, Shane Jennings, Tiernan O’Halloran.
𝙃𝙊𝙉 𝘾𝙊𝙉𝙉𝘼𝘾𝙃𝙏!
Our matchday 23 heading to Perpignan 🇫🇷#OneConnacht | #ChallengeCupRugby pic.twitter.com/NRp1qQcUbY— Connacht Rugby (@connachtrugby) December 13, 2024
