Sport

Munster and Connacht name sides for interpro derby

Munster and Connacht have named their teams for their interprovincial derby on New Year's Day.

The sold-out Sportsground clash will take place at 3 p.m.

Here is the team news in case you missed Saturday's announcement

Munster Team News:

The Munster side for the New Year’s Day URC Interpro derby against Connacht at The Sportsground (3pm) includes seven personnel changes and one positional switch from their previous match.

Academy out-half Tony Butler makes his first start at out-half. Veteran Conor Murray starts beside him.

Simon Zebo, Calvin Nash, and Shane Daly start in the back three. Antoine Frisch and Rory Scannell start in midfield.

Gavin Coombes shifts into the back row, alongside Tom Ahern and John Hodnett. Tadhg Beirne starts as captain in a second row alongside Tom Ahern.

The side is finally completed by a front row of Jeremy Loughman, Eoghan Clarke, and Oli Jager

Munster Starting XV:

Backs:

15.Simon Zebo (Fullback) 14. Calvin Nash (Wing) 11. Shane Daly (Wing)
13.Antoine Frisch (Centre) 12. Rory Scannell (Centre)
10. Tony Butler (Flyhalf) 9. Conor Murray (Scrumhalf)

Forwards:

1. Jeremy Loughman (Prop - Loosehead) 2. Eoghan Clarke (Hooker) 3. Oli Jager (Prop - Tighthead)
4. Fineen Wycherley (Lock) 5. Tadhg Beirne (Captain, Lock)
6. Tom Ahern (Flanker) 7. John Hodnett (Flanker) 8. Gavin Coombes (Number Eight)

Replacements:

16. Scott Buckley (Hooker) 17. Josh Wycherley (Prop) 18. John Ryan (Prop) 19. Jack O’Donoghue (Back Row) 20. Alex Kendellen (Back Row) 21. Paddy Patterson (Scrumhalf) 22. Seán O’Brien (Centre) 23. Shay McCarthy (Wing)

📢 TEAM NEWS | Here is your Munster side to face Connacht on New Year's Day 💪

Eoghan Clarke makes his 1st start for Munster at hooker, Academy man Tony Butler starts at out-half & Tadhg Beirne captains the side.#CONvMUN #SUAF 🔴

— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) December 30, 2023

Connacht Team News:

Connacht's matchday 23 for the New Year’s Day clash against Munster at The Sportsground features six changes from their previous game against Ulster.

Mack Hansen starts at fullback, with Byron Ralston, and Shayne Bolton as Connacht's wingers

Cathal Forde and Bundee Aki start in midfield. JJ Hanrahan and Caolin Blade start as the province's fullbacks.

In the front row Peter Dooley, Dave Heffernan, Finlay Bealham get the nod.Darragh Murray, and Joe Joyce start in the engine room. A backrow of Cian Prendergast, Shamus Hurley-Langton, Jarrad Butler complete the side.

Connacht Starting XV:

Backs:

15. Mack Hansen (Fullback) 14. Byron Ralston (Wing) 11. Shayne Bolton (Wing)
13 Cathal Forde (Centre) 12. Bundee Aki (Centre)
10. JJ Hanrahan (Flyhalf) 9. Caolin Blade (Captain, Scrumhalf)

Forwards:

1. Peter Dooley (Prop - Loosehead) 2. Dave Heffernan (Hooker) 3. Finlay Bealham (Prop - Tighthead).
4. Darragh Murray (Lock) 5. Joe Joyce (Lock)
6. Cian Prendergast (Flanker) 7. Shamus Hurley-Langton 8. (Flanker) Jarrad Butler (Number Eight)

Replacements:

16. Dylan Tierney-Martin (Hooker) Jack Aungier (Prop) Niall Murray (Lock) Oisín Dowling (Back Row) Michael McDonald (Scrumhalf) Jack Carty (Flyhalf) Denis Buckley (Prop) Conor Oliver (Back Row)

🟢 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠 𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦 🦅

Your Connacht 23 to kick start 2024 as we take on @Munsterrugby at The Sportsground on New Years Day 🏉

💪 Big Joe returns
1️⃣3️⃣ Cathal Forde outside centre

Read more: https://t.co/aNB4wzV1FP #ConnachtRugby pic.twitter.com/PXhWII3lwu

— Connacht Rugby (@connachtrugby) December 30, 2023