URC team news: Ulster look to youth for Munster trip

The sides face off at Thomond Park on Saturday.

Ireland international Josh van der Flier. Pic: Seb Daly/Sportsfile

Michael Lowry captains Ulster for the first time as the northern province bring a young squad to Thomond Park for Saturday’s URC clash.

Ulster have included five academy players in their squad with James McKillop, Tom Brigg, and Aitzol Arenzana-King all in line for their senior debuts from the start.

Ben Moxham makes his first senior start since November 2023 on the left wing.

Munster named their side yesterday with just prop Oli Jager back in as Clayton McMillan’s side look to back up last week’s win over Benetton.

Elsewhere, Leo Cullen has rung the changes for Leinster’s own trip to Benetton.

Caelan Doris and Josh van der Flier, out with injury recently, are among 13 changes for the game, ahead of next weekend’s Champions Cup semi-final. Jimmy O'Brien and Brian Deeny are the only two to retain their places.

Jack Aungier will become the Connacht’s latest centurion against the Lions on Saturday afternoon in Johannesburg.

He is amongst 10 changes from the side that started the win over the Stormers last week.

Ulster: Michael Lowry (capt); Aitzol Arenzana-King, Ethan McIlroy, Ben Carson, Ben Moxham; Jake Flannery, Conor McKee; Eric O'Sullivan, James McCormick, Bryan O’Connor; Harry Sheridan, Charlie Irvine; James McKillop, Tom Brigg, Lorcan McLoughlin.

Replacements: John Andrew, Callum Reid, Tom McAllister, Joe Hopes, Marcus Rea, David Shanahan, James Humphreys, Jonny Scott.

Munster: Shane Daly; Calvin Nash, Tom Farrell, Alex Nankivell, Andrew Smith; Jack Crowley, Craig Casey; Jeremy Loughman, Diarmuid Barron, Oli Jager; Jean Kleyn, Tadhg Beirne (capt); Tom Ahern, John Hodnett, Gavin Coombes.

Replacements: Lee Barron, Michael Milne, Michael Ala'alatoa, Edwin Edogbo, Brian Gleeson, Ben O’Donovan, Dan Kelly, Alex Kendellen.

Leinster: Ciarán Frawley; Tommy O'Brien, Rieko Ioane, Jamie Osborne, Jimmy O’Brien; Harry Byrne, Jamison Gibson-Park; Ed Byrne, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong; Conor O’Tighearnaigh, Brian Deeny; Jack Conan, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris (capt).

Replacements: Gus McCarthy, Jerry Cahir, Thomas Clarkson, Alex Soroka, Scott Penny, Fintan Gunne, Sam Prendergast, Charlie Tector.

Connacht: Sam Gilbert; Harry West, John Devine, Hugh Gavin, Shane Jennings; Jack Carty, Colm Reilly; Peter Dooley, Dylan Tierney-Martin, Jack Aungier; Niall Murray, Joe Joyce; Cian Prendergast (capt), Shamus Hurley-Langton, Paul Boyle.

Replacements: Matthew Victory, Billy Bohan, Fiachna Barrett, Darragh Murray, Sean Jansen, Matthew Devine, Sean Naughton, Shayne Bolton.