Munster

Image source, Inpho

Injury-hit Ulster will hand debuts to three academy players in Saturday's crucial United Rugby Championship trip to inter-provincial rivals Munster.

Flankers James McKillop and Tom Brigg and winger Aitzol Arenzana-King will make their senior bow for the derby at Limerick's Thomond Park (17:30 BST).

Faced with a raft of injuries and with one eye on next week's Challenge Cup semi-final against Exeter, head coach Richie Murphy has made 15 changes from last week's defeat by Leinster in Belfast.

Without props Angus Bell (foot), Scott Wilson (ankle) and Tom O'Toole (hand), Eric O'Sullivan and Bryan O'Connor - the latter making his first start - have been recalled at loose-head and tight-head as James McCormick returns at hooker.

Harry Sheridan and Charlie Irvine start in the second row, while Lorcan McLoughlin joins debutants McKillop and Brigg in the back row.

Joining fit-again full-back Michael Lowry - who will captain the side - in the back three are former Leinster wing Arenzana-King and Ben Moxham, who makes his first start since November 2023 after recovering from two anterior cruciate ligament injuries.

With James Hume (neck) and Jude Postlethwaite (hand) ruled out, Ethan McIlroy and Ben Carson start in midfield, while Conor McKee and Jake Flannery are paired at half-back.

Prop Tom McAllister and centre Jonny Scott, both of whom made their debut last month, are named on the bench alongside John Andrew, Callum Reid, Joe Hopes, Marcus Rea, Dave Shanahan and Jake Humphreys.

Murphy is without Nick Timoney (hip), James McNabney (knee), Rob Herring (calf), Robert Baloucoune (elbow), Rory McGuire (shoulder) and Stewart Moore (knee), while Ireland internationals Jacob Stockdale, Stuart McCloskey and Iain Henderson are among those not included in the squad.

Ulster are fifth in the URC table, a point above sixth-placed Munster, in the race for the play-offs.

Munster, who earned a much-needed 45-15 win over Benetton in Treviso last week, make just one change with Oli Jager replacing Michael Ala'alatoa in the front row.

Head coach Clayton McMillan has included experienced Ireland internationals Jack Crowley, Craig Casey and Tadhg Beirne.

Munster: Daly; Nash, Farrell, Nankivell, Smith; Crowley, Casey, Loughman, Barron, Jager, Kleyn, Beirne (capt); Ahern, Hodnett, Coombes.

Replacements: Barron, Milne, Ala'alatoa, Edogbo, Gleeson, O'Donovan, Kelly, Kendellen.

Ulster: Lowry (capt); Arenzana-King, McIlroy, Carson, Moxham; Flannery, McKee; O'Sullivan, McCormick, O'Connor, Sheridan, Irvine, McKillop, Brigg, McLoughlin.

Replacements: Andrew, Reid, McAllister, Hopes, Rea, Shanahan, Humphreys, Scott.

Image source, Getty Images

Munster have appointed Roger Randle as the province's new attack coach on a two-year deal.

Subject to obtaining a valid work permit, Randle will join Munster from the Chiefs in the summer following the completion of the Super Rugby season.

He will replace Mike Prendergast, who will depart Munster at the end of the season to join Bath.

Randle, who won two All Blacks caps, has been with the Chiefs for eight years and worked with Munster head coach Clayton McMillan at the Hamilton-based club.

In his 31-year career as player and coach, the well-travelled Randle has represented clubs and unions across the world, including in New Zealand, France, Italy and Japan.

"I am incredibly excited to be joining a prestigious club like Munster who have such a rich history and incredible supporters," said Randle.

"I'm really looking forward to reuniting with Clayton but my focus for now is on the Chiefs and having a successful end to the season."

McMillan said he was "very pleased" with Randle's appointment.

"I have worked with Roger for many years, and he has always demonstrated an incredible work-ethic and ingenuity when it comes to the attack aspect of the game," said McMillan.

"We are thrilled to have him come on board and believe he will complement the already excellent work that (skills and assistant attack coach) Mossy Lawler is doing on a day-to-day basis."

Image source, Inpho

Ireland international Tadhg Beirne returns to the starting team for his first appearance for Munster since January as they face to Exeter Chiefs in the Champions Cup last-16 on Saturday [12:30 BST].

The 34-year-old is one of ten changes made by head coach Clayton McMillian to the starting team following their narrow 34-31 loss to the Bulls in the United Rugby Championship last week.

Craig Casey, Jack Crowley, Ben O'Connor, Alex Nankivell and Alex Kendellen are the only players to survive.

McMillan is without Diarmuid Barron, Calvin Nash and Brian Gleeson after the trip sustained concussions in South Africa while Fineen Wycherley and Jean Kleyn are ruled out through injury.

Beirne, who was ever-present in Ireland's Triple Crown winning Six Nations campaign, partners recent international Test debutant Edwin Edogbo in the second row with Gavin Coombes fit to start in the back row after recovering from an illness last weekend.

Tom Farrell will start alongside Nankivell in the midfield with Thaakir Abrahams and Diarmuid Kilgallen taking their place on the wings while there could be a debut for former New Zealand U-20 scrum half Ben O'Donovan, who is named amongst the replacements following his recent signing from Canterbury.

"It's an opportunity to play for some silverware," McMillan said ahead of the game.

"I think it's three games from here to the final of Challenge Cup and we have every intention of putting our best foot forward to try and do that.

"It won't be easy, but that's where our mindset is at.

"In the URC, the table is congested and there's no easy games and everyone's going to be scrapping for an opportunity to get into the top eight. So, I guess our overall mindset is from this point in, it's knockout rugby and that's the way we're approaching it."

Munster: O'Connor; Abrahams, Farrell, Nankivell, Kilgallen; Crowley, Casey; Loughman, Barron, Ryan; Edogbo, Beirne (c); O'Donoghue, Kendellen, Coombes.

Replacements: N Scannell, Milne, Ala'alatoa, Ahern, Quinn, O'Donovan, O'Brien, Hodnett.

Image source, Getty Images

Bundee Aki has returned to the Ireland squad for Friday's Six Nations game against Wales in Dublin (20:10 GMT), while Leinster pair Jimmy O'Brien and Robbie Henshaw are also back in contention.

Aki was handed a four-match ban in January for "verbal abuse and disrespect" towards match officials in Connacht's United Rugby Championship (URC) loss to Leinster in January.

That kept the 35-year-old out of his province's URC game against Leinster and Ireland's first three games in the Six Nations, but is now back with the squad.

O'Brien has also linked up with the squad and Henshaw is expected to return early this week after they both played the full 80 minutes in Leinster's 8-7 URC defeat by Cardiff on Friday.

Both were left out of Andy Farrell's initial 37-man squad for the Six Nations because of injury, but their return will bolster Ireland's options with James Lowe ruled out for the remainder of the tournament with a groin injury.

Fly-half Harry Byrne suffered a concussion in Leinster's defeat on Friday and is out, while Cormac Izuchukwu continues his graduated return to play protocols and will join the squad alongside the other nine players who have also returned to camp.

Farrell will name his team on Wednesday afternoon.

Image source, Getty Images

Munster have confirmed senior coach Mike Prendergast will depart the club at the end of the season.

The Limerick native will leave after four years with his home province amid speculation he is to team up with former Munster head coach Johann van Graan at Premiership champions Bath as attack coach.

Prendergarst, a former Munster player, returned to his home province in 2022 following a 10-year coaching spell in France with Racing 92, Stade Français, Oyonnax and Grenoble.

In his first season back at Munster, the Irish province won the United Rugby Championship - their first league title for 12 seasons - and last season they reached the quarter-finals of the European Champions Cup.

While admitting it was a "very difficult decision" to leave Clayton McMillan's coaching ticket, Prendergast is hopeful he can enjoy further success to go out on a high.

"I've been in lots of different environments coaching and playing over the years but Munster will always hold a special place in my heart and it has been a really enjoyable four years," said Prendergast, who has also worked at international level with Ireland.

"Working with the players and coaches has been an absolute pleasure but I believe now is the right time for a new challenge.

"I will be giving it my all to ensure that the club can be as successful as it can be as we approach the business end of the season.

"I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Ian, Clayton, the coaches, players and Munster fans for all of their support."

Munster head coach McMillan said he is "sorry" to lose Prendergast from his coaching team, but wished him well.

"Since arriving in Ireland last summer, I've had the opportunity to work closely with Mike and it's clear why he is so highly regarded," he said.

"He is a brilliant coach with a sharp rugby mind and an ability to connect with players in a way that brings the best out of them.

"His contribution to our coaching group and to the wider environment will be a loss. While we are sorry to see him move on, I have no doubt he will thrive in whatever challenge comes next."

Image source, Getty Images

Scarlets hooker Marnus van der Merwe will join Munster ahead of the 2026-27 United Rugby Championship season.

The 29-year-old South African international has agreed a two-year deal with the Irish province.

Van der Merwe made his South Africa debut in July and helped the Springboks win the Rugby Championship title as he featured in the wins New Zealand and Australia.

He previously played for the Pumas and Cheetahs before he joined Scarlets in 2024, where he made an instant impact.

Van der Merwe was named in the URC's Elite XV in his debut season and was named Scarlets' supporters' player of the year.

"I'm excited and honoured to be joining such a prestigious club, with such a proud rugby history," van der Merwe said.

"I want to finish the season strong with the Scarlets, before tackling this new challenge with Munster."

Image source, Inpho

Ireland Under-20s fly-half Tom Wood is set for his senior debut when Munster travel to Glasgow in the United Rugby Championship on Friday night (19:45 GMT).

The 19-year-old, who is the son of former Ireland captain Keith Wood, has been named on the bench with Jack Crowley among the Ireland internationals missing to prepare for the Six Nations and JJ Hanrahan injured.

Hanrahan had been set to start Munster's win over the Dragons last week but pulled out late, with Tony Butler instead starting at Musgrave Park.

Butler has kept the 10 jersey for the trip to Scotstown and will again form the half-back pairing with Ethan Coughlan.

Munster head coach Clayton McMillan has made four changes to the side that beat Dragons.

Centre Alex Nankivell will miss three to four weeks with a foot injury, meaning Diarmuid Kilgallen comes on to the wing with Shane Daly switching to midfield.

Props Josh Wycherley and Oli Jager take the places of Jeremy Loughman and Michael Alaalatoa respectively, while lock Evan O'Connell replaces South African World Cup winner Jean Kleyn in the second row.

Munster go into the game fifth in the URC, five points behind league leaders Glasgow.

Munster Rugby: M Haley; T Abrahams, S Daly, D Kelly, D Kilgallen; T Butler, E Coughlan; J Wycherley, D Barron (C), O Jager, E O'Connell, F Wycherley, S Edogbo, R Quinn, B Gleeson.

Replacements: L Barron, M Donnelly, J Ryan, G Coombes, J O'Donoghue, P Patterson, T Wood, S O'Brien.

Joel Bell
BBC Sport NI

Image source, Inpho

Munster have made eight personnel changes to their starting line-up for Friday's United Rugby Championship game against the Dragons at Musgrave Park as they aim to bounce back from last week's disappointing defeat by Castres which saw them eliminated from the Champions Cup after the pool stages.

Clayton McMillan's side dropped down to the Challenge Cup after the narrow two-point home loss to the French side.

Sean Edogbo, 21, is set to make his first competitive start this weekend as he is joined in a new-look back three by Ruadhán Quinn and Brian Gleeson, who recently signed a two-year contract extension.

Edogbo follows in the footsteps of his brother Edwin as the second player from Cobh Pirates to play for Munster in the professional era, with Edwin subsequently called into the Ireland squad for the Six Nations this week.

Captain Diarmuid Barron is named in the front row, joined by Jeremy Loughman and Michael Ala'alatoa, as Mike Haley, Dan Kelly, JJ Hanrahan and Ethan Coughlan all come into the back-line.

Daly moves to the wing, with Haley and Thaakir Abrahams completing the back three. Alex Nankivell and Kelly form the midfield pairing with Coughlan and Hanrahan the half-backs.

The second row partnership of Jean Kleyn and Fineen Wycherley remains unchanged.

Munster sit sixth in the URC table, level on points with neighbouring province Leinster, while Dragons, who are 13th, come into this match off the back of a win over Newcastle in the European Challenge Cup.

Lee Barron, Josh Wycherley and Oli Jager provide the front row back-up among the replacements, while 21-year-old second row Evan O'Connell is in line for his first appearance since November off the bench.

Gavin Coombes completes the back-row cover, as Paddy Patterson, who has completed the return-to-play protocols, Tony Butler and Diarmuid Kilgallen are the replacement options among the backs.

Munster Rugby: Mike Haley; Thaakir Abrahams, Dan Kelly, Alex Nankivell, Shane Daly; JJ Hanrahan, Ethan Coughlan; Jeremy Loughman, Diarmuid Barron (C), Michael Ala'alatoa; Jean Kleyn, Fineen Wycherley; Seán Edogbo, Ruadhán Quinn, Brian Gleeson.

Replacements: Lee Barron, Josh Wycherley, Oli Jager, Evan O'Connell, Gavin Coombes, Paddy Patterson, Tony Butler, Diarmuid Kilgallen.

Image source, Getty Images

Ulster's European Challenge Cup last-16 tie against Ospreys at the Affidea Stadium in Belfast is to take place on Saturday 4 April, with a 20:00 BST kick-off.

Munster will travel to face Exeter Chiefs at Sandy Park in the same competition on the same day, with that match starting at 12:30.

In the last 16 of the Champions Cup, Leinster, the sole remaining Irish province, will be at home to Edinburgh on Sunday 5 April at 17:30.

Connacht will host the Sharks on Friday 3 April in the Challenge Cup, that game starting at 20:00.