Irish Rugby

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Ulster's four Ireland call-ups have been named to start against the Sharks in Durban in the United Rugby Championship on Saturday (15:00 BST).

Iain Henderson will captain the side from the second row while Nick Timoney, Stuart McCloskey and Jacob Stockdale also start as Ulster target a third straight win.

Michael Lowry has recovered from injury to return at full-back, and he will join Stockdale, who moves to the wing from 15, and former Sharks player Werner Kok in the back three.

Hooker Tom Stewart and prop Scott Wilson will start their first games of the season alongside Sam Crean in the front row.

With Cormac Izuchukwu having not travelled to South Africa because of the foot injury that ruled him out of the Ireland squad, Harry Sheridan gets the nod to start alongside Henderson in front of a back row of David McCann, Timoney and Juarno Augustus.

Nathan Doak and Jack Murphy retain their places at half-back, while McCloskey and James Hume start at centre.

Development lock Joe Hopes could make his first appearance since November 2023 off the bench.

The Sharks have named a strong team to face Ulster and have recalled five of their Rugby Championship-winning South Africa internationals in the shape of Ox Nche, Eben Etzebeth and Siya Kolisi, Grant Williams and Andre Esterhuizen.

Sharks: E van der Merwe; E Hooker, J Julius, A Esterhuizen, M Mapimpi; S Masuku, G Williams; O Nche, B Mbonambi, V Koch, E Etzebeth, M Orie, S Kolisi, V Tshituka (capt), P Buthelezi.

Replacements: F Mbatha, S Matanzima, R Dreyer, B Hlekani, E Tshituka, Jaden Hendrikse, Jordan Hendrikse, L Am.

Ulster: M Lowry; W Kok; J Hume, S McCloskey; J Stockdale; J Murphy, N Doak; S Crean, T Stewart, S Wilson; I Henderson, H Sheridan; D McCann, N Timoney, J Augustus.

Replacements: R Herring, C Reid, T O'Toole, J Hopes, S Reffell, C McKee, J Flannery, J Postlethwaite.

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Connacht have recalled their British and Irish Lions for Friday's United Rugby Championship game against the Bulls at Dexcom Stadium (19:45 BST).

Mack Hansen is named at full-back, Bundee Aki starts in the centre and Finlay Bealham returns at tight-head prop.

Scrum-half Caolin Blade and back-row forward Cian Prendergast, who were named in Ireland's autumn squad on Wednesday alongside the Lions trio, also start, with Prendergast switching to open-side flanker.

Shayne Bolton, a training panellist in the Ireland squad, starts on the left wing.

Connacht started the season with a 26-15 win over Benetton, but lost to Cardiff last week after their round two meeting with Scarlets was postponed because of Storm Amy.

"The Bulls are a formidable side, with a strong blend of power up front and pace in the back field," said Connacht head coach Stuart Lancaster.

"They were URC finalists for a reason last year, and we're expecting a response after their defeat in Ulster last week."

The Bulls make 11 changes after a 28-7 defeat by Ulster in Belfast last week, including Keagan Johannes' inclusion at fly-half with South Africa international Handre Pollard having returned home for family reasons.

Connacht: M Hansen; C Mullins, B Ralston, B Aki, S Bolton; J Ioane, C Blade; P Dooley, D Heffernan, F Bealham, D Murray, D O'Connor, J Murphy, S Jansen, C Prendergast (capt).

Replacements: D Tierney-Martin, J Duggan, J Aungier, J Joyce, S O'Brien, M Devine, S Naughton, C Forde.

Bulls: W le Roux; C Moodie, D Kriel, J Serfontein, S de Klerk; K Johannes, P de Wet; A Tshakweni, JH Wessels, W Louw, C Wiese, R Ludwig (capt), N Xaba, JJ Theron, J Rudolph.

Replacements: J Grobbelar, G Steenekamp, F Klopper, N van Rensburg, M Gumede, H Vorster, S Jacobs.

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The Sharks have recalled five of their Rugby Championship-winning South Africa internationals for Saturday's game against Ulster in Durban (15:00 BST).

World Cup winners Ox Nche, Eben Etzebeth and Siya Kolisi all return to the Sharks pack to join international team-mates Bongi Mbonambi and Vincent Koch, who featured against Leinster in Dublin last week, for the United Rugby Championship encounter at Kings Park.

Springboks scrum-half Grant Williams and inside centre Andre Esterhuizen return to a backline which boasts a Test-level back three of Makazole Mapimpi, Ethan Hooker and Edwill van der Merwe.

Hendrikse brothers Jaden and Jordan and Lukhanyo Am are named among the replacements.

Wing Hooker, 22, says the Sharks are excited for their first home game of the season after defeats by Leinster and Glasgow and a draw with the Dragons on their European tour.

"I want to make my home team proud, the vibe is pretty good being back and you get that sense of a home feeling," said Hooker.

"We're all keen and looking forward to going out on Saturday and performing for our fans. They can look forward to this week's game as much as we are.

"We've trained really hard, exciting things are coming and we hope to see a full stadium coming out in support and watching a really good game of rugby."

Ulster, who have started the season with back-to-back wins, name their team on Friday.

Sharks: E van der Merwe; E Hooker, J Julius, A Esterhuizen, M Mapimpi; S Masuku, G Williams; O Nche, B Mbonambi, V Koch, E Etzebeth, M Orie, S Kolisi, V Tshituka (capt), P Buthelezi.

Replacements: F Mbatha, S Matanzima, R Dreyer, B Hlekani, E Tshituka, Jaden Hendrikse, Jordan Hendrikse, L Am.

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Ulster assistant coach Mark Sexton says more Ulster players in the Irish squad is "better for everybody".

Iain Henderson, Nick Timoney, Stuart McCloskey and Jacob Stockdale were included in Andy Farrell's 34-man squad for the autumn internationals that begin with a trip to Chicago to face New Zealand on 1 November.

Cormac Izuchukwu missed out due to a foot injury that has seen him stay behind in Belfast to see a specialists as Ulster prepare for a URC game the Sharks in Durban on Saturday (15:00 BST).

Ulster will monitor his progress with Sexton saying they will assess whether the 25-year-old forward will join up with the squad for next week's game against the Lions in Johannesburg.

However, the inclusion of the Ulster quartet in Farrell's Ireland squad is a positive with Sexton paying tribute to Stockdale whose versatility saw him play at full-back in last week's 28-7 home win against the Lions.

"Jacob is unbelievably talented, you saw the last two nights he's been incredible," Sexton said in a media call from Ulster's base in Durban.

"He has size and power, has a good left-footed kicking game, is good in the air and his ability to beat players and offload, I can't speak highly enough about Jacob."

Sexton arrived in Ulster over the summer from Connacht as attack and backs coach.

He admits he can be "demanding" but in their opening two URC games, Ulster have scored 10 tries as they picked up maximum points.

It has been a good start, but Sexton feels there is still room for improvement with the "ability to finish line breaks" one area he has identified.

"We just didn't finish the last pass and that needs to get better," he said.

"Against the Bulls we were a bit cagey for 30 minutes, so I'd like to throw the shackles off.

"We're seeing lads express themselves, playing with smiles on their faces and playing to space. We're seeing exciting rugby which I am passionate about."

Matt Gault
BBC Sport NI senior journalist

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After a successful British and Irish Lions sabbatical and some time spent promoting his book, Andy Farrell has named his Ireland squad for next month's November Tests against New Zealand, Japan, Australia and South Africa.

In a squad devoid of headline-grabbing omissions, the focus remains on who is in as opposed to who is not.

And while it is a path well-trodden at this stage, the rightful incumbent of the number 10 jersey continues to stir interest and debate.

When Farrell departed on his Lions sabbatical, Leinster's Sam Prendergast was Ireland's starting fly-half, having usurped Jack Crowley during last year's autumn Tests.

But after a strong start to his first Six Nations, Prendergast struggled in the defeat by France and dropped to the bench behind Munster's Crowley for the final game against Italy.

Farrell did not bring either player on the Lions tour, and while they each started one game over the summer, routine wins over Georgia and Portugal most likely will not shape the head coach's thinking for the All Blacks game in Chicago on 1 November.

With his squad already named, Farrell will watch Saturday's United Rugby Championship game at Croke Park between Leinster and Munster with interest.

The provinces will not name their teams until Friday lunchtime, but if Prendergast and Crowley start - having both been rested last weekend - it will be the first time they have come up against each other.

While Farrell will undoubtedly consider more than their respective performances in one URC game, it is certainly an intriguing opportunity for Prendergast and Crowley to put their hand up in what will be their last match for club or country before Soldier Field.

Matt Gault
BBC Sport NI senior journalist

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There was no great surprise to see Caelan Doris' name in the Ireland squad for the autumn internationals.

While Doris has not played since early May because of a shoulder injury that required surgery, the back row has returned to Leinster training and has been "trending well" according to the province's head coach Leo Cullen.

Doris' inclusion is certainly a boost, but the 27-year-old lining out against the All Blacks 17 days' time seems unlikely given the amount of time he has spent on the sidelines.

Then again, Dan Sheehan recovered from a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in just six months, so it would be foolish to write Doris off at this stage.

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell can rest somewhat easy, though, knowing that he has Jack Conan ready to deputise for Doris. Conan is a six-Test Lion, so his credentials are beyond reproach at this stage.

Farrell's injury list is far from disastrous, but Hugo Keenan and Joe McCarthy are nailed-on starters, so their absences must be addressed.

Keenan's unavailability has been known for some time, and while Jamie Osborne is a clear replacement at full-back, if he is tried out in midfield, one of Mack Hansen, Jacob Stockdale or Ciaran Frawley will be asked to take the 15 shirt.

Jack Crowley also made cameos at full-back during the Six Nations but he is again poised to take on Sam Prendergast in the battle for the 10 jersey.

James Ryan is the obvious replacement for McCarthy in the second row and will expect to start against the All Blacks in Chicago, but Thomas Ahern is a relatively new face who could force his way into the reckoning over the course of the campaign that also includes home games against Japan, Australia and South Africa.

Matt Gault
BBC Sport NI senior journalist

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After a summer squad filled with uncapped players while the frontline players were on British and Irish Lions duty, Andy Farrell's panel for next month's autumn internationals has a much more settled and familiar look to it.

In fact, Paddy McCarthy is the only uncapped player in the 34-man squad for Tests against New Zealand, Japan, Australia and South Africa with Farrell - who is back from his Lions sabbatical - opting against a radical shake-up of his formula.

The Leinster loose-head prop was part of interim boss Paul O'Connell's squad for the summer Tests against Georgia and Portugal, but did not earn a cap with Jack Boyle and Michael Milne preferred.

McCarthy, 22, had a stellar Under-20 career. He was the starting tight-head in Ireland's 2023 U20 Six Nations Grand Slam triumph and was a standout performer in the U20 World Championship in South Africa later that year.

The younger brother of injured Ireland lock Joe McCarthy, he made appearances off the bench for Leinster across the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons before making his first start against the Bulls earlier this month.

McCarthy is one of eight Leinster front rowers in the squad alongside Jack Boyle, Thomas Clarkson, Tadhg Furlong, Andrew Porter, Gus McCarthy, Dan Sheehan and Ronan Kelleher.

While not officially in the squad, three more players - Edwin Edogbo, Brian Gleeson and Shayne Bolton - will travel to Chicago for the All Blacks game as "cover".

Edogbo is certainly an interesting selection. The 22-year-old Munster lock only recently returned from a near two-year injury nightmare and will have his first chance to impress the Ireland coaches.

While not uncapped, Thomas Ahern is a relatively new name in the squad. The 6ft 9ins lock played against Georgia and Portugal, but the 25-year-old could be set for the biggest month of his career.

Tommy O'Brien is the least experienced back at this level. His two caps came in the summer - yielding four tries - but he will be determined to battle Mack Hansen for the number 14 jersey. Of course, if Farrell opts to try out Hansen at full-back, O'Brien's Test career could be about to take off.

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Cormac Izuchukwu has emerged as an injury doubt for Ireland's autumn Tests after Ulster confirmed he will see a specialist about a foot injury.

The 25-year-old forward sustained the injury in Ulster's United Rugby Championship win over the Bulls last weekend and is unavailable for Saturday's fixture against the Sharks in Durban (15:00 BST).

Izuchukwu was expected to be named in Andy Farrell's Ireland squad on Wednesday after scoring tries against the Dragons and Bulls in an impressive start to the season.

The London-born player made his Ireland debut against Fiji last year and featured in the summer tour wins over Georgia and Portugal, but an ankle injury denied him a possible Six Nations debut earlier this year.

After opening their season with back-to-back wins, Ulster face the Sharks and Lions on their South African tour before the autumn break.

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Ulster head coach Richie Murphy says he was hugely impressed by the commitment from his players in Saturday's 28-7 win over South African side Bulls.

Wilco Louw cancelled out Stuart McCloskey's try in the first half but Ulster scored three tries after the restart, through Juarno Augustus, Rob Herring and Cormac Izuchukwu, to power to victory.

It was a second bonus-point win in as many matches in the United Rugby Championship for Ulster, who have a game in hand over the majority of the league after their game in Edinburgh was postponed as a result of Storm Amy.

"Absolutely, I was blown away by their commitment, work ethic and grit to stay in the fight," Murphy said when asked if it was the best team performance since he took charge of Ulster in March 2024.

"I thought we worked really hard for each other defensively. It shows the team is building nicely and there's still loads of things we feel we can be better at.

"We have to build on it going forward now."

Ulster will now travel to South Africa for two matches against Sharks and Lions before the URC takes a break for the November internationals, and Murphy says his side are "going down there on a mission to win".

"I don't think we should worry about any team we are playing," he said.

"Going down to South Africa is obviously a very difficult place to go.

"The guys feel good about themselves at the moment and it's important we keep working hard to try and get better every week."

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Ulster prop Tom O'Toole said he is excited to face a "nearly fully strong Bulls side" in Saturday's United Rugby Championship game in Belfast (19:45 BST).

The Bulls have recalled 13 Springboks to their squad after starting the season with wins over Ospreys and Leinster in Pretoria.

Meanwhile, Ulster have had a longer break since their opening victory over the Dragons after last week's fixture against Edinburgh was postponed because of Storm Amy.

"It'll be exciting to come up against the challenge of a nearly fully strong Bulls side," O'Toole told BBC Sport NI.

"The Bulls have performed really well over the last couple of weeks and hopefully we will be able to put on one of our strongest teams with the guys we have available.

"They were in the [URC] final last year for a reason, and they have really physical set of forwards, are set-piece orientated and their backs are dynamic, really quick and really dangerous over transition."

Ulster are set to welcome wing Robert Baloucoune and prop Eric O'Sullivan back from injury ahead of this weekend's clash, but backs Michael Lowry and Jacob Stockdale are doubts.

Richie Murphy's side welcome the URC leaders to the Affidea Stadium before travelling to South Africa to face the Sharks and Lions in their final two games before the autumn break.

"It's a big few weeks coming up," the 27-year-old continued.

"We have put in a lot of good work over pre-season, so we're excited for the challenge, and it'll put us in good position to see where we are.

"Three South African teams in a row is a good challenge to see where you are."

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Two-time Rugby World Cup winner Handre Pollard will make his first Bulls appearance in six years in Saturday's United Rugby Championship trip to Ulster (19:45 BST).

Fly-half Pollard, who rejoined the Pretoria-based club over the summer after stints with Montpellier and Leicester Tigers, is one of eight South Africa internationals in the Bulls line-up for the game in Belfast.

Like Pollard, prop Wilco Louw and centre Canan Moodie are restored to Johan Ackermann's starting team after helping the Springboks win retain the Rugby Championship.

Former Boks lock Ackermann - appointed in the summer - makes seven changes in total from last week's win over Leinster, with Cobus Wiese, Marco Staden, Jeandre Rudolph and Zak Burger also recalled.

South Africa centurion Willie le Roux is named among the replacements, while hooker Johann Grobbelaar captains the side in former Ulster flanker Marcell Coetzee's concussion-enforced absence.

"He obviously had to do a bit of homework and get to know the players and meet all the players," Ackermann said of 85-cap Springbok Pollard.

"And then the moment we step our foot on the field on Wednesday [for training], he's bringing a lot of calmness, experience and class.

"Even though it's a big challenge to only have two trainings with a team, I'm sure he will adapt well and the players will feed off his calmness and experience."

The Bulls have started the season with two wins, but in order to extend their winning sequence, Ackermann believes his players must block out the noise of the Ulster fans.

"They sing, they're noisy, they make you feel it when you make a mistake," said Ackermann, who was head coach during Ulster great David Humphreys' spell as Gloucester director of rugby.

"Those things can come under your skin that we have to control. We've tried to prep this week by making a big thing about what we can control. We don't control the crowd, the referee, the weather.

"What we control is our attitude, our mindset, our positivity."

Bulls: Devon Williams; Sebastian de Klerk, Canan Moodie, Harold Vorster, Stravino Jacobs; Handre Pollard, Zak Burger; Gerhard Steenekamp, Johann Grobbelaar (capt), Wilco Louw, Cobus Wiese, Nicolas Janse v Rensburg, Marco van Staden, Mpilo Gumede, Jeandre Rudolph.

Replacements: Juann Else, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Mornay Smith, Reinhardt Ludwig, Nama Xaba, Paul de Wet, David Kriel, Willie le Roux.

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Connacht's Cullie Tucker will lead Ireland 'A' against Spain in Leganes next month.

Tucker, who is the western province's scrum and contact coach, was part of Paul O'Connell's backroom team for Ireland's summer tour of Georgia and Portugal.

Ireland 'A' will face Spain - who have qualified for the 2027 Rugby World Cup - at Estadio Municipal de Butarque on Saturday, 8 November (16:00 BST), the same day as the senior team's autumn Test against Japan in Dublin (12:40 BST).

Tucker will be assisted by Mossy Lawler (backs/attack Coach), Jimmy Duffy (forwards coach) and Sean O'Brien (defence coach).

Last year, Ireland 'A' lost 28-12 to England 'A' in Bristol.

The Irish Rugby Football Union says the Ireland 'A' squad will be announced "in the coming weeks".

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Fit-again Robert Baloucoune will make his first appearance of the season for Ulster in Saturday's United Rugby Championship game against the Bulls (19:45 BST) at the Affidea Stadium, while summer signing Juarno Augustus has been handed his first start of the campaign.

Wing Baloucoune played only twice for the Irish province last term in an injury-blighted year and missed the season-opening 42-21 win over the Dragons two weeks ago with an ankle injury.

Augustus, a summer signing from Northampton, came off the bench in the win over the Welsh side in Belfast and was also named as a replacement for last week's scheduled encounter away to Edinburgh, which was postponed after falling victim to the effects of Storm Amy.

Jacob Stockdale is selected at full-back after overcoming a foot injury sustained in the game two weeks ago while prop Eric O'Sullivan is named on the bench after recovering from a knee problem.

Michael Lowry is not included in the matchday squad however as he continues to recover from an abdominal strain.

Zac Ward retains his place in the starting XV on the left wing after his try-scoring performance against the Dragons, with Stuart McCloskey and James Hume again paired in midfield.

Jack Murphy and Nathan Doak continue to form the half-back partnership.

Former Saracens forward Sam Crean starts for the first time since joining the province in the summer, packing down with Ireland internationals Rob Herring and Tom O'Toole in the front row.

Captain Iain Henderson is partnered by Cormac Izuchukwu in the second row, with David McCann, Nick Timoney and Augustus making up the back row.

Prop Callum Reid was named in the side to face Edinburgh last week but is ruled out of Saturday's match with a concussion.

The Bulls have started the season strongly, securing wins over Ospreys and defending champions Leinster, and have recalled a clutch of South Africa internationals to their squad following the conclusion of The Rugby Championship.

Last season's beaten URC finalists are without former Ulster forward Marcell Coetzee because of a concussion however.

The meeting with the Bulls is the first of three encounters against South African opposition for Richie Murphy's side as they travel to face the Sharks and Lions in the following weeks.

Ulster lost three of their four URC games against South Africa opposition last season, including a 47-21 loss to the Bulls in Pretoria.

Ulster: Stockdale; Baloucoune, Hume, McCloskey, Ward; Murphy, Doak; Crean, Herring, O'Toole; Henderson (capt), Izuchukwu; McCann, Timoney, Augustus

Replacements: Stewart, O'Sullivan, Wilson, Sheridan, Reffell, McKee, Flannery, Postlethwaite.

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Winless Leinster have named five of their British and Irish Lions to start Saturday's United Rugby Championship game against the Sharks at Aviva Stadium (17:30 BST).

Forwards Josh van der Flier, Tadhg Furlong and Ronan Kelleher and backs James Lowe and Jamie Osborne all return to domestic action after featuring in the Lions' Australian tour over the summer.

Flanker Van der Flier captains Leinster for the first time, while Harry Byrne starts at fly-half with Ireland international Sam Prendergast not included in the matchday squad.

Former Ireland sevens player Joshua Kenny is poised to make his Leinster debut after being named on the bench.

The 22-year-old trained with the URC champions over the summer, featured in September's pre-season game against Cardiff and travelled with the squad to South Africa for the defeats by the Stormers and Bulls.

Leinster boss Leo Cullen makes eight changes from the 39-31 loss to the Bulls, with Fintan Gunne making his first start of the season at scrum-half.

Lowe and Osborne's returns mean Jimmy O'Brien shifts to the wing while Robbie Henshaw moves to outside centre to partner Ciaran Frawley.

The Sharks lost to Glasgow in their opener before a 17-17 draw with the Dragons last week.

Leinster: Jamie Osborne; Jimmy O'Brien, Robbie Henshaw, Ciaran Frawley, James Lowe; Harry Byrne, Fintan Gunne: Paddy McCarthy, Ronan Kelleher, Tadhg Furlong, Brian Deeny, Ryan Baird, Alex Soroka, Josh van der Flier (capt), Max Deegan.

Replacements: Gus McCarthy, Jack Boyle, Thomas Clarkson, Diarmuid Mangan, James Culhane, Luke McGrath, Hugh Cooney, Joshua Kenny.

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Edwin Edogbo is set to make his first Munster appearance in nearly two years after being named in the matchday squad for Friday's United Rugby Championship game with Edinburgh in Cork (19:45 BST).

The 22-year-old lock has been sidelined since December 2023 with an Achilles injury, but has been included on the bench.

Head coach Clayton McMillan makes 10 changes from last week's win over Cardiff, with Tom Farrell, Calvin Nash, Andrew Smith and Michael Milne handed their seasonal debuts.

Diarmuid Barron, Mike Haley, Sean O'Brien, JJ Hanrahan, Paddy Patterson and Jack O'Donoghue also come into the side.

Munster are still without captain Tadhg Beirne after his involvement in the British and Irish Lions tour to Australia, while Ireland scrum-half Craig Casey will return from his thigh injury in "one to three weeks".

Munster are also without Shane Daly, Tom Ahern (both concussion), Niall Scannell (hand), Diarmuid Kilgallen (ankle), John Hodnett (cheek), Alex Kendellen (ankle) and Conor Bartley (thigh).

In-form fly-half Jack Crowley is rested.

The Irish province are targeting a third straight win after opening their campaign with wins over Scarlets and Cardiff.

Edinburgh lost to Zebre before their home game against Ulster last week was postponed because of Storm Amy.

The Scots have recalled Lions wingers Darcy Graham and Duhan van der Merwe, while Pierre Schoeman, D'arcy Rae and Sam Skinner come into the pack.

Dylan Richardson will make his Edinburgh debut in the back row after joining from the Sharks.

Munster: Mike Haley; Calvin Nash, Tom Farrell, Sean O'Brien, Andrew Smith; JJ Hanrahan, Paddy Patterson; Michael Milne, Diarmuid Barron (capt), Oli Jager; Jean Kleyn, Fineen Wycherley; Jack O'Donoghue, Ruadhan Quinn, Gavin Coombes.

Replacements: Lee Barron, Josh Wycherley, John Ryan, Edwin Edogbo, Brian Gleeson, Ethan Coughlan, Tony Butler, Dan Kelly.

Edinburgh: Wes Goosen; Darcy Graham, Piers O'Conor, James Lang, Duhan van der Merwe; Ben Healy, Ben Vellacott; Pierre Schoeman, Ewan Ashman, D'arcy Rae, Marshall Sykes, Sam Skinner, Liam McConnell, Dylan Richardson, Magnus Bradbury (capt).

Replacements: Paddy Harrison, Boan Venter, Paul Hill, Glen Young, Freddy Douglas, Ben Muncaster, Charlie Shiel, Harry Paterson.

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Ulster wing Zac Ward insists he is "not really thinking about" a potential Ireland call-up as he prepares to face a Bulls side loaded with Springboks in Belfast on Saturday (19:45 BST).

Former Ireland Sevens star Ward started his first full season in the 15s code in style with a try in Ulster's opening United Rugby Championship win over the Dragons a fortnight ago.

The 26-year-old was a training panellist in Paul O'Connell's Ireland squad over the summer, and while returning head coach Andy Farrell names his autumn panel next week, Ward says he is not looking beyond the URC leaders' visit to Affidea Stadium.

"I'm just worried about this game this weekend," he told BBC Sport NI.

"I'm not really thinking about that. It's always a goal for every player, but I just want to try and cement my place in the starting 15 here and then see what happens after that."

Having initially joined Ulster on a trial basis after last year's autumn international window, Ward admits he endured a "baptism of fire" in his debut against Bordeaux in the Investec Champions Cup.

But with four tries in 10 appearances since then, he believes his confidence has "grown massively".

"That's definitely down to the coaching staff having belief in me and not putting too much pressure on me and the guys around me galvanising me," added the 2024 Olympian.

The Bulls, who have started the season with wins over Ospreys and Leinster, have included 13 South African internationals for their European tour that also includes fixtures against Connacht and Glasgow.

Ward may come up against Canan Moodie, who is fresh off winning the Rugby Championship with the Springboks, but the Ballynahinch man is confident Ulster can overcome last season's URC finalists if they execute their gameplan.

"South African teams are always going to be massively physical, we know that.

"We can't give them too much loose ball because they have some nippy guys out wide as well, but we're confident if we stick to our gameplan and do what we set out to do, we can put on a good show and a good performance for the crowd."