Leinster and Munster ring changes for Euro clashes

Leinster v Harlequins, Aviva Stadium, Saturday, 7.45pm

Leinster have made four changes for their crunch Champions Cup match against Harlequins at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday night.

Dominic Ryan, Kane Douglas, Isaac Boss and Zane Kirchner have all been drafted into Matt O'Connor's side.

Boss, who came off the bench last weekend at the Stoop, will partner Jimmy Gopperth in the half-backs.

Outside of the half-backs, Ian Madigan is selected at 12 with Luke Fitzgerald switching from the left wing to outside centre in place of the injured Gordon D'Arcy, who was not able to shake off a slight calf injury.

As a result of Fitzgerald switching to the centre, Darragh Fanning swaps wings and will start on the left wing, with Zane Kirchner starting on the right. Rob Kearney continues at full-back.

The front row is unchanged, with Jack McGrath, Sean Cronin and Mike Ross again selected, while Kane Douglas comes in to the second row to partner Devin Toner.

In the back row, Dominic Ryan has shaken off his quad injury to take his place at openside flanker, with Rhys Ruddock and Jamie Heaslip completing the pack. Jamie Heaslip captains the side.

Leinster: Rob Kearney; Zane Kirchner, Luke Fitzgerald, Ian Madigan, Darragh Fanning; Jimmy Gopperth, Isaac Boss; Jack McGrath, Seán Cronin, Mike Ross; Devin Toner, Kane Douglas; Rhys Ruddock, Dominic Ryan, Jamie Heaslip (captain).

Replacements: Bryan Byrne, Michael Bent, Tadhg Furlong, Mike McCarthy, Jack Conan, Eoin Reddan, Noel Reid, Mick McGrath.

Munster v Clermont Auvergne, Stade Marcel-Michelin, Sunday, 3.15pm

Anthony Foley has also made four alterations to the Munster team as they take on Clermont Auvergne again.

In the pack, John Ryan is the only change as he comes in for the injured Dave Kilcoyne.

In the backline, Foley introduces a new midfield partnership, with JJ Hanrahan starting at 12 and the returning Andrew Smith named outside him.

Hanrahan is now expected to sign a new contract with Munster, despite speculation earlier in the week that he could leave.

With injury ruling Gerhard van den Heever out, Andrew Conway returns to take his position on the wing.

Munster: Felix Jones; Andrew Conway, Andrew Smith, JJ Hanrahan, Simon Zebo; Ian Keatley, Conor Murray; John Ryan, Duncan Casey, BJ Botha; Dave Foley, Paul O'Connell; Peter O'Mahony (captain), Tommy O'Donnell, CJ Stander.

Replacements: Kevin O'Byrne, Eusebio Guinazu, Stephen Archer, Billy Holland, Robin Copeland, Duncan Williams, Denis Hurley, Johne Murphy.

Ulster v Scarlets, Parc y Scarlets, Sunday, 5.15pm

Luke Marshall has recovered from injury and has been named in the Ulster team to face Scarlets at Parc y Scarlets on Sunday.

The Ireland international centre suffered a knee injury while playing for the Ravens in October and returns to the side at inside-centre.

Marshall's inclusion is one of three personnel changes to the starting XV that recorded a bonus-point win over the same opposition at Kingspan Stadium last weekend.

Nick Williams and Wiehahn Herbst miss the game with hamstring injuries, so Roger Wilson moves to number eight, Clive Ross is named at openside, with Ireland international Declan Fitzpatrick selected at tighthead prop.

Stuart Olding also misses the game having suffered concussion in last Saturday's Champions Cup match.

Ruan Pienaar continues at scrum-half alongside Ian Humphreys, Marshall partners last weekend's man of the match Darren Cave in midfield, with Louis Ludik at full-back and Ireland internationals Tommy Bowe and Craig Gilroy selected in the back three.

Captain Rory Best is joined by Callum Black and Fitzpatrick in the front row, while Franco van der Merwe has recovered from the head injury he suffered last weekend and is selected in the second row along with Ireland international second row Dan Tuohy.

Clive Ross and Wilson start alongside Robbie Diack in the back row.

Ulster: Louis Ludik; Tommy Bowe, Darren Cave, Luke Marshall, Craig Gilroy; Ian Humphreys, Ruan Pienaar; Callum Black, Rory Best (captain), Declan Fitzpatrick; Dan Tuohy, Franco van der Merwe; Robbie Diack, Clive Ross, Roger Wilson.

Replacements: Rob Herring, Andrew Warwick, Bronson Ross, Alan O'Connor, Mike McComish, Paul Marshall, Michael Heaney, Mike Allen.

EUROPEAN RUGBY CHALLENGE
Bayonne v Connacht, Stade Jean Dauger, Saturday 7.45pm

Pat Lam has changed his entire XV for Connacht's round four Challenge Cup clash away to Bayonne.

Connacht thrashed the French side 42 - 19 at the Sportsground last week.

Outhalf Miah Nikora has been handed the captaincy and is partnered by Academy scrumhalf Caolin Blade, who makes his first senior start for the province.

22-year-old Conor Finn from Galway will also earn his first competitive start in a centre partnership with versatile back Craig Ronaldson.

Darragh Leader is installed at fullback in a back three with centurion Fionn Carr and Niyi Adeolokun on his return from injury.

Up front, Finlay Bealham starts for the first time in a reshuffled pack with Ronan Loughney, Dave Heffernan, Michael Swift and Willie Faloon also promoted from the bench.

After featuring for the Connacht Eagles on Saturday following a six week absence, lock Aly Muldowney is back in action for Pat Lam at the weekend.

Academy forward James Connolly will make his Connacht debut at the Stade Jean Dauger on Saturday. The 21-year-old from Naas will feature in a back row with Faloon and Athlone man Danny Qualter at Number 8 for his own first start.

Named on the bench, Academy prop Saba Meunargia could also make his Connacht debut tomorrow night.

The 20-year-old Georgian-born prop attended Marist College and has represented Ireland at Under-18 (Club and Schools) and U19's level. Last season the Buccaneers club man was called into the Ireland U20's squad.

Connacht: Darragh Leader; Niyi Adeolokun, Conor Finn, Craig Ronaldson, Fionn Carr; Miah Nikora (capt), Caolin Blade; Ronan Loughney, Dave Heffernan, Finlay Bealham; Michael Swift, Aly Muldowney; James Connolly, Willie Faloon, Daniel Qualter.

Replacements: Shane Delahunt, Denis Buckley, Saba Meunargia, George Naoupu, Eoin McKeon, Kieran Marmion, Dave McSharry, Matt Healy.

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