Ahead of the November internationals, plenty of members of the Irish squad will get some game time this weekend after being named in their provincial sides for Rabo12 action.
Ronan O’Gara is the only member of the Munster contingent in the Irish camp to be released, having been sidelined recently with a hamstring injury sustained in the disappointing Heineken Cup defeat to Racing Metro last month.
O’Gara will start Munster’s clash with the Cardiff Blues alongside Duncan Williams at half-back, Doug Howlett returns to the wing, Felix Jones continues at full-back while Tommy O’Donnell will wear number eight on Friday night, the first time he has played in that position at senior level.
There’s more Irish representation in the Ulster side that will play Edinburgh tomorrow night, with Craig Gilroy, Paul Marshall and Stephen Ferris all named in the starting XV.
Ulster coach Mark Anscombe makes nine changes to a side that have yet to taste defeat this season, with Ricky Andrew making his first start at full-back, Nigel Brady, Callum Black and John Afoa included in a brand new front row and Roger Wilson occupying the number eight berth.
Munster take on Cardiff Blues in the Arms Park at 7.05pm, the same time that Ulster’s clash with Edinburgh gets underway at Ravenhill.
Munster team to play Cardiff Blues: F Jones; D Howlett (captain), C Laulala, I Keatley, L O’Dea; R O’Gara, D Williams; M Horan, M Sherry, S Archer; D Foley, B Holland; Dave O’Callaghan, S Dougall, T O’Donnell.
Replacements: D Varley, J Ryan, W du Preez, I Nagle, P Butler, P Stringer, D Barnes, J Murphy.
Ulster team to play Edinburgh: R Andrew; C Cochrane, J Payne, P Wallace, C Gilroy; R Pienaar, P Marshall; C Black, N Brady (captain), J Afoa; L Stevenson, N McComb; S Ferris, M McComish, R Wilson;
Replacements: N Annett, R Lutton, A Macklin, R Diack, N Williams, N O’Connor, S Olding, P Nelson.
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