In a baffling bit of scheduling, all four Irish provinces will take on the four Welsh regions this weekend, ahead of next week’s Six Nations meeting in Cardiff.
Munster, Leinster and Ulster have all named their teams this afternoon, with Connacht announcing yesterday, ahead of this evening’s game against the Blues.
And despite the Welsh opposition, Joe Schmidt has released six of his eight replacements from last week’s win to line out with their provinces this weekend.
Top of the table Munster take on the Ospreys at the Liberty tomorrow afternoon, and Anthony Foley has made three changes from last week’s win against Glasgow.
But the big news is on the bench, as Donnacha Ryan makes a welcome return to the squad, after a foot injury has kept him out for the season.
Felix Jones returns, but starts on the wing in place of Andrew Conway. Keith Earls and Denis Hurley continue their partnership in the centre, as do the half-backs, with Keatley and Williams again named to start.
In the pack, Dave Kilcoyne returns at loose-head, partnering Eusebio Guanaizu and BJ Botha. Donncha O’Callaghan and Billy Holland continue in the second row, while Dave O’Callaghan replaces Jack O’Donoghue at six.
Munster:Â JJ Hanrahan, F Jones, K Earls, D Hurley, R O’Mahony, I Keatley, D Williams; D Kilcoyne, E Guinazu, BJ Botha, Do O’Callaghan, B Holland, Da O’Callaghan, S Dougall, CJ Stander
Kick off: Saturday, 2.40pm.
Meanwhile, Leinster have made seven changes ahead of their trip to Llanelli tomorrow night.
Matt O’Connor has drafted in a brand new front row of internationals, with Cian Healy, Sean Cronin and Marty Moore all starting.
Kane Douglas starts with the returning Mike McCarthy behind them, while Rhys Ruddock captains the side, partnering Jack Conan and Dominic Ryan in the back-row.
Eoin Reddan returns to start at scrum-half, linking up with Jimmy Gopperth.
The centres remain unchanged, with Gordon D’Arcy and Ben Te’o continuing, while Luke Fitzgerald returns on the wing, partnering Zane Kirchner and Fergus McFadden in the back three.
Leinster:Â Z Kirchner, F McFadden, B Te’o, G D’Arcy, L Fitzgerald, J Gopperth, E Reddan; C Healy, S Cronin, M Moore, K Douglas, M McCarthy, R Ruddock, D Ryan, J Conan
Kick off: Saturday, 5.15pm.
Iain Henderson will start for Ulster for Sunday’s meeting with the Dragons.
Henderson is the only International returning for Neil Doak, and is one of two changes to the side after last week’s win against the Scarlets at Kingspan Stadium.
The backrow starts in the place of the suspended Roger Wilson, with Samoan Mike Stanley making his first Ulster start in the place of Luke Marshall.
Darren Cave captains the side for the first time on his 154th appearance for the province, while an Ulster debut could also be on the cards for Irish u20 star Sam Arnold, who starts on the bench.
Ulster:Â L Ludik; C Gilroy, D Cave, M Stanley, M Allen, I Humphreys, R Pienaar; C Black, R Herring, W Herbst, D Tuohy, F Van der Merwe, I Henderson, C Ross, N Williams
Kick off: Sunday, 4pm
