Connacht

Image source, Inpho

Cormac Izuchuku is included in the Ulster starting line-up for the first time since October as the Irish province make six changes to the starting XV which took to the field for the 24-20 defeat by Leinster for Saturday's interprovincial against Connacht in Galway (17:30 GMT).

The second row has overcome injury and illness and this week committed his future to Ulster by agreeing a two-year contract extension.

Izuchukwu replaces Charlie Irvine in the second row for the Dexcom Stadium encounter and will partner Harry Sheridan, who will make his 50th appearance for the province.

Sam Crean and Scott Wilson come in at loose-head and tight-head prop respectively, with Tom Stewart retaining his position at hooker.

In the half-backs, scrum-half Conor McKee makes his first interprovincial derby start alongside fly-half Jack Murphy.

The two changes in the back division see Zac Ward start on the left wing and James Hume return to join Stuart McCloskey in the midfield after he missed out last week through illness.

In-form Werner Kok starts on the right wing after scoring two tries against Leinster, as Jacob Stockdale is retained at full-back.

David McCann, Nick Timoney and Juarno Augustus make up the back row.

The back-line replacements are Nathan Doak, Jake Flannery and Jude Postlethwaite, while the forward options on the bench are John Andrew, Angus Bell, Tom O'Toole, Joe Hopes and Bryn Ward.

Ulster go into the Christmas period in fifth position in the table after winning four and losing two of their URC matches to date.

Richie Murphy's side will complete a trio of Irish interprovincial derbies when they host Munster in Belfast on 2 January.

Connacht head coach Stuart Lancaster will give academy wing Daniel Ryan his senior debut as the western province look to bounce back from a dispiriting defeat by Dragons last time out.

Prop Denis Buckley will become Connacht's second most capped player when he represents the side for the 270th time, behind only John Muldoon's 327 outings for the side.

Lock David O'Connor will start in the second row against his former side, while scrum-half Ben Murphy, will feature against an Ulster side coached by his father Richie and featuring his brother Jack.

Connacht: Gilbert; Ryan, Forde, Aki, Treacy; Carty, B Murphy; Buckley, Heffernan, Bealham; Joyce, O'Connor; J Murphy, Prendergast, Jansen.

Replacements: Tierney-Martin, Duggan, Barrett, Murray, O'Brien, Devine, Ioane, Gavin.

Ulster: Stockdale; Kok, Hume, McCloskey, Z Ward; Crean, Stewart, Wilson; Sheridan, Izuchukwu; McCann, Timoney, Augustus.

Replacements: Andrew, Bell, O'Toole, Hopes, B Ward, Doak, Flannery, Postlethwaite.

Image source, Getty Images

Ulster lock Cormac Izuchukwu says "pride in the province" is what helps make Irish derbies special as the side prepare to take on Connacht this weekend.

Richie Murphy's side travel to the Dexcom Stadium on Saturday (17:30 GMT) for what is their second of three games in a row against Irish rivals in the United Rugby Championship (URC).

The northern province are looking to bounce back following a narrow 24-20 loss against Leinster last time.

The home side, meanwhile, come into the match off the back of a loss comprehensive reverse against Dragons.

"Connacht away, Leinster away and Munster at home, they are special," Izuchukwu told BBC Sport NI.

"There is something about them, they are class to play in.

"For me it is having pride in the province, going down there and showing what we are about."

Izuchukwu, who has not played since early October because of a recurring foot injury followed by an illness last week, has just signed a new two-year contract to keep him at Ulster until the summer of 2028.

The 25-year-old second row added that he has "grown as a person and a player" since joining the Ulster academy in 2020.

"It has been on my mind for a while now, so really happy to get it done and to get back to playing rugby," Izuchukwu continued.

"I came here back in 2020, I didn't have many options, and they gave me a chance. I came here, have made friends and have grown as a person and a player.

"I have made great memories here and, for me, with how the club is growing I am so happy to be here."

Image source, Getty Images

Cormac Izuchukwu and James Hume are set to feature in Ulster's United Rugby Championship game against Connacht at Dexcom Stadium on Saturday (17:30 GMT).

The URC fixture is the second of three games in a row against Irish provinces for Ulster, with Richie Murphy's side coming into the game after back-to-back defeats against Cardiff and Leinster.

Ireland lock Izuchukwu has not played since early October and returns to the squad alongside Hume, who missed the interprovincial derby defeat at Aviva Stadium after scoring a try in the Challenge Cup match against Cardiff.

Nathan Doak is a doubt because of a calf problem with Rob Baloucoune (shoulder) and Stewart Moore (wrist) also injury concerns.

Charlie Irvine, who picked up a calf injury against defending URC champions Leinster, has been ruled out.

However, despite missing multiple players, Ulster head coach Richie Murphy said that his side's injury situation is "reasonably good."

"Injuries are reasonably good from the weekend," Murphy told BBC Sport NI.

"We have had a couple of long-term ones which haven't changed but, from the game at the weekend, we have come out pretty well."

Connacht will be looking to get back to winning ways themselves after losing 48-28 to Dragons in their last match.

The home side have lost four of their opening six URC matches but won their previous home game.

"Connacht are in a tough place," Murphy continued.

"They are coming off a pretty poor defeat in their eyes so it will be a very difficult place to go this weekend."

Image source, Inpho

European Challenge Cup

Connacht: (38) 52

Tries: Boyle (3), Blade (2), Illo, Bolton (2) Cons: Gilbert 6

Black Lion: (0) 0

Back row Paul Boyle scored a first-half hat-trick as Connacht eased to a 52-0 Challenge Cup victory over Black Lion in Galway.

The Georgian visitors were overpowered at the Dexcom Stadium with Connacht scoring six tries in the first-half alone.

The westerners surrendered a 21-0 advantage to lose to Ospreys in their European opener last week but the result was never in danger this time around.

Boyle, who was a try scorer for Ireland 'A' in their victory over Spain last month, opened the scoring after only 54 seconds with Shalva Aptsiauri then sent to the sin bin for a trip on Chay Mullins.

Boyle got his second before the visiting winger returned to the field in the 16th minute, with Caolin Blade the next to go over after good work from Hugh Gavin.

The once-capped Boyle completed his hat-trick on the half-hour mark with both Sam Illo and Shay Bolton following him across the whitewash before the turn.

With Sam Gilbert converting four of the six scores, Stuart Lancaster's side led 38-0 at the break.

With the game won in the first half, there was something of a let up after the restart with both Blade and Bolton bagging their second of the game and Gilbert converting both for the only scores of the second half.

Connacht return to United Rugby Championship action next week when they travel to Dragons on 20 December before the first of their festive interpros at home to Ulster a week later.

Connacht: Gilbert; Mullins, Gavin, Forde, Bolton; Carty, Blade; Duggan, Heffernan, Illo, Murray, O'Brien, Hurley-Langton, Boyle.

Replacements: Tierney-Martin, Bohan, Barrett, Joyce, Murphy, Devine, Hawkshaw, West.

Black Lion: Takaishvili; Tabutsadze, Tapladze, Kakhoidze, Aptsiauri; Tsirekidze, Peranidze; Khatiashvili, Kvatadze, Darbaidze, Babunashvili, Epremidze, Tsikhistavi, Tsutskiridze, Sinauridze.

Replacements: Mamukashvili, Kakovin, Chkhartishvili, Ganiashvili, Kervalishvili, Spanderashvili, Lutidze, Todua.

Image source, Inpho

It will be "months for sure" before Ireland wing Mack Hansen returns from injury, according to Connacht scrum and contact coach Cullie Tucker.

Hansen emerged as a doubt for the 2026 Six Nations after undergoing surgery on his foot last week.

The 27-year-old first sustained the problem on the British and Irish Lions tour of Australia and missed all three Tests of the victorious series.

The Australia-born back-three player reaggravated the issue on his only provincial appearance of the season against the Bulls in October and subsequently missed Ireland's autumn Tests against New Zealand and Japan.

He was named at full-back for the first time in his international career against Australia and marked his return with a memorable first-half hat-trick.

A week later against South Africa, however, he was replaced after 64 minutes and is now set for an extended spell on the sidelines.

"Yes, surgery went well. It was obviously an unusual and invasive surgery for him," said Tucker.

"He's in the very early parts of recovery now. In terms of timeline I'm not exactly sure but you're talking months for sure.

"It is very early stages after it but he's out and he's at home recovering at the moment."

Ireland start their 2026 Six Nations away to France on 5 February.

Having broken into the Ireland team during the 2022 Six Nations, Hansen played every minute of the 2023 Grand Slam campaign on the right wing, scoring three tries.

However, he missed the 2024 tournament because of a shoulder injury and endured an interrupted championship earlier this year, missing the Scotland and France games with hamstring and quad issues.

Image source, Inpho

Next five fixtures: Sharks (H), Ospreys (A, Challenge Cup), Black Lion (H, Challenge Cup), Dragons (A), Ulster (A)

It has been a difficult start to life in Galway for former England boss Stuart Lancaster, who replaced Pete Wilkins as Connacht head coach in the summer.

After an opening win over Benetton was followed by the Storm Amy-enforced postponement of their Scarlets game, the western province lost to Cardiff, Bulls and Munster before the international break.

The 28-27 loss to the Bulls in Galway and 17-15 reverse to Munster in Limerick were tough pills to swallow, but Lancaster has had a solid month to devise a plan for breathing new life into Connacht's season.

It starts with the visit of the Sharks to Dexcom Stadium on Saturday (19:45 GMT). After three defeats in their first four games, the South African side signed off before the November break with a 29-19 win over Scarlets.

The Sharks will be without most of their Springboks, including Siya Kolisi, Eben Etzebeth, Bongi Mbonambi, Ethan Hooker and Andre Esterhuizen.

For the hosts, Ireland internationals Bundee Aki, Cian Prendergast and Finlay Bealham are available for selection, but Mack Hansen has been ruled out.

Hansen, who starred at full-back in Ireland's win over Australia earlier this month, is nursing hand and foot injuries with Connacht unsure on a timeline for the 27-year-old's return.

After facing the Sharks, Lancaster will lead Connacht into European action for the first time as the Challenge Cup returns with a trip to Ospreys followed by a home game against Georgian side Black Lion.

Image source, Getty Images

Bundee Aki has been named on the bench for Connacht's United Rugby Championship game against the Sharks in Galway on Saturday (19:45 GMT).

Aki started Ireland's defeat by world champions South Africa in Dublin last week having appeared off the bench against New Zealand and Australia.

The centre's Ireland team-mates Cian Prendergast, Caolin Blade and Mack Hansen are all ruled out because of injury.

Versatile New Zealand back Sam Gilbert, who joined from the Highlanders last summer, is set to make his debut off the bench.

Paul Boyle captains Connacht from open-side flanker, with Josh Murphy and Sean Jansen completing the back row.

Brothers Niall Murray and Darragh Murray start together in the second row, with Jordan Duggan, Dave Heffernan and Jack Aungier named in the front row.

Ben Murphy and Josh Ioane retain their half-back partnership, while Cathal Forde and Hugh Gavin are retained in the centres. Shayne Bolton and Chay Mullins are named on the wings with Sean Naughton at full-back.

In the backs, Ben Murphy and Josh Ioane continue their partnership at 9 and 10, as do the Galway duo of Cathal Forde and Hugh Gavin in the centre. Shayne Bolton and Chay Mullins are selecting on the wings with Sean Naughton at full-back.

"Tomorrow [Saturday]'s the start of a really important block for us, as we build on the first four games and aim to set ourselves up for success come the end of the season," said Connacht head coach Stuart Lancaster.

"Like any South African side the Sharks have a good mix of power up front and skill out wide, so we have to trust the processes we've worked on in the last few weeks, and feed off the support of the home crowd."

Connacht: Sean Naughton; Chay Mullins, Hugh Gavin, Cathal Forde, Shayne Bolton; Josh Ioane, Ben Murphy; Jordan Duggan, Dave Heffernan, Jack Aungier; Niall Murray, Darragh Murray; Josh Murphy, Paul Boyle (capt), Sean Jansen.

Replacements: Eoin de Buitlear, Denis Buckley, Sam Illo, David O'Connor, Sean O'Brien, Matthew Devine, Bundee Aki, Sam Gilbert.

We've launched our new rugby podcast - the Ireland Rugby Social - with Ireland legend Conor Murray joining Gavin Andrews every week to dive into the sport's biggest stories.

Each episode will be released on Tuesday on BBC Sounds.

Who do you want to hear from on the podcast?

Send us your suggestions here.

Watch former Ireland star Conor Murray chat to his Ireland Rugby Social co-host Gavin Andrews about the launch of their new podcast on BBC Sounds.

Image source, Inpho

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.

Image source, Inpho

Connacht winger Mack Hansen could make his return from the injury that wrecked his British and Irish Lions tour this weekend against Cardiff in the United Rugby Championship.

Hansen missed all three Lions Tests against Australia after injuring his foot in the 48-0 win over AUNZ Invitational a week before the series opener with the Wallabies in Brisbane.

In a squad update on Monday, Connacht confirmed that the 27-year-old Ireland star is available for selection against Cardiff on Saturday at Cardiff Arms Park (19:45 BST).

Back Harry West has also returned to full training. Fly-half Josh Ioane and winger Byron Ralston are also back in training but a decision on their availability will be made later in the week.

In less encouraging news, lock Niall Murray has undergone surgery on an ankle he injured in the win over Benetton while second row Oisin Dowling is expected to be sidelined until December after knee surgery.

Image source, Getty Images

Connacht show nine changes for Saturday's United Rugby Championship game against Scarlets at Dexcom Stadium (13:45 BST).

Head coach Stuart Lancaster has welcomed back four Ireland internationals, but is still without his British and Irish Lions trio for the game against the Welsh club.

Cian Prendergast captains the side at flanker, with Jack Aungier named at prop with Darragh Murray in the second row, while Hugh Gavin is in line to make his bow for the season off the bench.

Denis Buckley starts at prop and Dave Heffernan at hooker in what is an all-new front row from last week's opening win in Galway.

Murray is joined by Joe Joyce at prop, with Paul Boyle moving to open-side flanker and Sean Jansen retaining his place at number eight.

There is a new partnership at half-back with Ben Murphy and Jack Carty selected, while David Hawkshaw gets the nod to start alongside Cathal Forde in the centre.

The back three remain the same with Sean Naughton at full-back and Chay Mullins and Shayne Bolton on the wings.

Connacht: Naughton; Mullins, Hawkshaw, Forde, Bolton; Carty, Murphy; Buckley, Heffernan, Aungier; Murray, Joyce; Prendergast (capt), Boyle, Jansen.

Replacements: de Buitléar, Duggan, Illo, O'Connor, O'Brien, Devine, Gavin, Treacy

Image source, Getty Images

Stuart Lancaster has named his first Connacht side in the United Rugby Championship (URC) as they get ready to host Benetton Rugby at Dexcom Stadium on Saturday (19:45 BST).

Lancaster is without his British and Irish Lions for the opening rounds, while summer signing Sam Gilbert is also not involved in the 23.

Academy back Sean Naughton has been handed his first start in what will also be his first taste of URC action, while Fiachna Barrett is in line to join the Galway man off the bench.

Naughton is named at full-back with Chay Mullins and Irish international Shayne Bolton on the wings, while Cathal Forde and Byron Ralston will start as the centre partnership.

The half-back partnership will see experienced scrum-half Caolan Blade joined by out-half Josh Ione.

Paul Boyle will captain the side on his 117th appearance at blind-side flanker in a back row that also features Shamus Hurley-Langton and number eight Sean Jansen.

In the front row, Dylan Tierney-Martin will start as hooker, joined on either side by props Peter Dooley and Sam Illo, while Niall Murray and Josh Murphy are named in the second row.

Connacht: Naughton; Mullins, Ralston, Forde, Bolton; Ioane, Blade; Dooley, Tierney-Martin, Illo; Murray, Murphy; Boyle (capt), Hurley-Langton (56), Jansen (26)

Replacements: Heffernan, Duggan, Barrett, O'Connor, Joyce, Murphy, Carty, Prendergast