URC teams: Calvin Nash and RG Snyman back for Munster, Charlie Ngatai returns for Leinster

Michael Glennon Michael Glennon | 04-20 00:16

Calvin Nash and RG Snyman are among six Munster changes for their BKT United Rugby Championship clash with the Bulls on Saturday afternoon (4.05pm Irish time).

Nash, Shane Daly and Snyman start having missed out in the Champions Cup loss to Northampton two weeks ago due to injury and illness with Conor Murray, Alex Kendellen and Jack O'Donoghue also coming into the starting XV.

Simon Zebo moves to full-back with Nash and Daly starting on either wing.

Alex Nankivell and Antoine Frisch continue their centre partnership with Murray and Jack Crowley in the half-backs.

Jeremy Loughman, Niall Scannell and Stephen Archer start in an unchanged front row with Snyman and captain Tadhg Beirne paired together in the engine room for the first time.

A back row of Peter O’Mahony, Kendellen and O’Donoghue complete the side. O’Donoghue makes his first start since New Year’s Day on his 197th Munster appearance.

Eoghan Clarke, Josh Wycherley and Oli Jager, who returns from injury, provide the front row back-up.

Tom Ahern, Gavin Coombes and John Hodnett complete the forward cover. It will be the first game that Coombes hasn’t started this season.

Craig Casey and Joey Carbery are the backline replacements.


Munster: Simon Zebo; Calvin Nash, Antoine Frisch, Alex Nankivell, Shane Daly; Jack Crowley, Conor Murray; Jeremy Loughman, Niall Scannell, Stephen Archer; RG Snyman, Tadhg Beirne (capt); Peter O’Mahony, Alex Kendellen, Jack O’Donoghue.

Replacements: Eoghan Clarke, Josh Wycherley, Oli Jager, Tom Ahern, Gavin Coombes, Craig Casey, Joey Carbery, John Hodnett.

Meanwhile, Charlie Ngatai (above) will make his Leinster return against the Lions on Saturday (2pm Irish time) after recovering from a calf injury.

The former All Black's last game was against Sale in December.

Ciarán Frawley starts again at full-back, with Rob Russell on the right wing and Andrew Osborne on the left.

Liam Turner starts in the number 12 jersey with Ngatai at outside centre.

Luke McGrath and Harry Byrne are the half-backs selected by Leo Cullen.

In the pack, it's a front row of Cian Healy, Lee Barron and Thomas Clarkson, with Brian Deeny and Jason Jenkins in the second row behind them.

Diarmuid Mangan, making his first start for Leinster, captain Scott Penny and Max Deegan complete the starting XV.

There is also a welcome return from injury on the bench for Cormac Foley.


Leinster: Ciarán Frawley; Rob Russell, Liam Turner, Charlie Ngatai, Andrew Osborne; Harry Byrne, Luke McGrath; Cian Healy, Lee Barron, Thomas Clarkson; Brian Deeny, Jason Jenkins; Diarmuid Mangan, Scott Penny (capt), Max Deegan.

Replacements: John McKee, Michael Milne, Michael Ala’alatoa, Ross Molony, Rhys Ruddock, Cormac Foley, San Prendergast, Ben Brownlee.

Elsewhere, Finlay Bealham (above) will become a double centurion for Connacht in tomorrow's meeting with Zebre at Dexcom Stadium (7.35pm).

The Ireland international and Six Nations winner becomes the seventh player to reach the milestone for the club, joining Denis Buckley, Tiernan O’Halloran and Jack Carty, and former players John Muldoon, Michael Swift and Kieran Marmion.

There’s a first start for academy graduate Matthew Devine, who’s named at scrum-half, while his Ballinasloe and Garbally College team-mate Shane Jennings lines out at full-back.

Hooker Dave Heffernan captains the side while Jordan Duggan lines out as loosehead.

Locks Niall Murray and Joe Joyce are paired together, while a reshuffled back row sees Shamus Hurley-Langton move to blindside flanker, Conor Oliver coming in at openside and Sean O’Brien starting at number 8.

JJ Hanrahan continues at out-half, while Tom Farrell comes in to partner Bundee Aki in the centre.

In the back three there’s a return to the starting team for John Porch, while Andrew Smith is on the opposite wing.


Connacht: Shane Jennings; John Porch, Tom Farrell, Bundee Aki, Andrew Smith; JJ Hanrahan, Matthew Devine; Jordan Duggan, Dave Heffernan (capt), Finlay Bealham; Joe Joyce, Niall Murray; Shamus Hurley-Langton, Conor Oliver, Seán O'Brien.

Replacements: Tadgh McElroy, Peter Dooley, Sam Illo, Oisín Dowling, Jarrad Butler, Caolin Blade, Cathal Forde, Paul Boyle.

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