URC team news: Sparrow in line for Leinster debut, 100 not out for Ulster's James Hume

The URC season kicks off this weekend.

Head coach Leo Cullen during a Leinster rugby squad training session at SACS High School in Newlands, Cape Town this week. Pic: Shaun Roy/Sportsfile

Thu, 25 Sep, 2025 - 12:07

Luke McGrath will skipper Leinster as Leo Cullen's side kick off their URC title defence against the DHL Stormers in Cape Town on Friday (kick off 6pm Irish time, live on TG4 and Premier Sports 1).

Academy prop Andrew Sparrow is in line to make his senior debut off the bench while Sam Prendergast partners McGrath in the halfbacks.

Ciarán Frawley and Robbie Henshaw make up the midfield while Jordan Larmour and Tommy O'Brien have been named on the wings with Jimmy O'Brien given the nod at full-back.

Elsewhere, 27-year-old centre James Hume starts on what will be his 100th cap in an Ulster jersey as they begin their season against the Dragons in Belfast (kick off 8.05pm).

Iain Henderson captains the XV, starting alongside Harry Sheridan in the second row.

Up front, Callum Reid starts at loosehead prop, with veteran international Rob Herring at hooker and Tom O’Toole starting at tighthead prop.

Jacob Stockdale returns to action after sustaining an injury while playing for Ireland against Georgia on the summer tour.

International teammate, Stuart McCloskey, starts at inside centre alongside Hume at outside centre on his milestone appearance.

Cormac Izuchukwu starts at blindside flanker, with Nick Timoney starting at openside flanker.

25 year-old prop, Sam Crean, is also named on the bench after making a permanent move from Saracens to the province this summer.

Leinster Rugby: 15. Jimmy O'Brien, 14. Tommy O'Brien, 13. Robbie Henshaw, 12. Ciarán Frawley, 11. Jordan Larmour, 10. Sam Prendergast, 9. Luke McGrath captain, 1. Jack Boyle, 2. Gus McCarthy, 3. Rabah Slimani, 4. Diarmuid Mangan, 5. Brian Deeny, 6. Ryan Baird, 7. Scott Penny, 8. James Culhane

Replacements: 16. John McKee, 17. Paddy McCarthy, 18. Andrew Sparrow, 19. Max Deegan, 20. Will Connors, 21. Fintan Gunne, 22. Harry Byrne, 23. Hugh Cooney.

Ulster Rugby: 15. Michael Lowry, 14. Zac Ward, 13. James Hume, 12. Stuart McCloskey, 11. Jacob Stockdale, 10. Jack Murphy, 9. Nathan Doak, 1. Callum Reid. 2. Rob Herring, 3. Tom O’Toole, 4. Iain Henderson (captain), 5. Harry Sheridan, 6. Cormac Izuchukwu, 7. Nick Timoney, 8. David McCann.