URC Match Day News - Ireland

Ulster v Scarlets:

Ulster host Scarlets in the opening games of the round on Friday. Rob Lyttle is set to make his 50th appearance for the Ulster men, as he is named to start on the left wing alongside Ethan McIlroy who makes a positional switch to full-back.

Gareth Milasinovich has returned from his short-term loan to Saracens and is named on the bench with Brad Roberts, Jack McGrath, Mick Kearney and David McCann to provide the forward options. David Shanahan, Ian Madigan and Aaron Sexton are the back line replacements

Connacht v Glasgow Warriors:

Tiernan O’Halloran will become the fourth Connacht player to reach 200 caps when he lines out against Glasgow Warriors at The Sportsground on Saturday. Denis Buckley meanwhile will make a welcome return from a serious knee injury, with the prop among the replacements for what is due to be his first appearance of the season.

In the backs there’s a senior debut for Academy graduate Cathal Forde. The Galway native, who has signed a Pro contract from the beginning next season, starts at out-half with scrum-half Kieran Marmion alongside him.

Zebre v Munster:

Munster man Jean Kleyn is in line to make his 100th appearance for the province against Zebre on Saturday. Jack O’Donoghue captains Munster with 11 changes to the side that defeated Wasps 45-7 last week.

Matt Gallagher, Nash and Shane Daly form the back three with a centre partnership of Dan Goggin and Liam Coombes. Goggin and Coombes lined out on opposite sides of last week’s Limerick derby between Young Munster and Garryowen.

Cardiff Rugby v Leinster:

Academy second row Joe McCarthy is included in the starting XV after a string of impressive performances for Dublin University in the Energia All-Ireland League recently.

McCarthy, a former Blackrock College student, will be partnered on his first outing in the second row by Leinster Rugby appearances record-holder Devin Toner who extends his record to 272 games for the province.

The side will be captained by Luke McGrath, partnered in the half-backs by Ross Byrne whose recent 19-point haul against Montpellier took him above 700 points in a blue jersey.