by Munster and Leinster have named strong teams with plenty of Irish players for their United Rugby Championship games against South African opponents on Saturday.
Munster have named Calvin Nash, Jack Crowley, Craig Casey and Tadhg Beirne in the starting line-up against the Sharks in Durban (3pm BST), while Leinster have called on a number of their Test players for their top-flight clash with the Lions at the Aviva Stadium (June 17). :15).
Munster coach Graham Rowntree makes four changes from last week’s defeat to the Stormers, with Rory Scannell, Casey, Stephen Archer and John Hodnett all recalled.
Caelan Doris, who was this week named Ireland captain for next month’s autumn internationals, is captaining a Leinster side with Robbie Henshaw for the first time this season. Henshaw will be supported in midfield by Hugh Cooney, who is making his first senior appearance.
With Ciaran Frawley out following his injury against Connacht last weekend, Sam Prendergast – who was named to the Ireland squad this week – starts at half-time for Leo Cullen’s side.
Muenster: Mike Haley; Calvin Nash, Tom Farrell, Rory Scannell, Sean O’Brien; Jack Crowley, Craig Casey; John Ryan, Niall Scannell, Stephen Archer; Jean Kleyn, Tadhg Beirne (captain); Tom Ahern, John Hodnett, Jack O’Donoghue.
Substitute: Diarmuid Barron, Kieran Ryan, Ronan Foxe, Fineen Wycherley, Ruadhan Quinn, Ethan Coughlan, Billy Burns, Alex Kendellen.
Leinster: Hugo Keenan; Andrew Osborne; Hugh Cooney, Robbie Henshaw, James Lowe; Sam Prendergast, Luke McGrath; Michael Milne, Gus McCarthy, Rabah Slimani; RG Snyman, Ryan Baird; Max Deegan, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris (main actors).
Substitute: Stephen Smyth, Andrew Porter, Thomas Clarkson, Brian Deeny, James Culhane, Cormac Foley, Ross Byrne, Charlie Tector.
