Munster Name 38-Man Squad for Pre-Season Clash with Bath at Virgin Media Park

Munster Rugby have announced a 38-man squad for Friday’s highly anticipated pre-season clash against English Premiership champions Bath at Virgin Media Park.

Kick-off is 7pm, with tickets available now via munsterrugby.ie. Fans unable to attend can catch all the action live on Access Munster, with exclusive live streaming.

Five Ireland internationals — Tom Ahern, Craig Casey, Gavin Coombes, Alex Kendellen and Michael Milne — are set to make their first appearances of the new campaign. Ahern, Kendellen, and Milne will wear the red jersey for the first time since making their Ireland debuts this summer.

This fixture will be an extended 90-minute contest, with breaks after 30 and 60 minutes instead of a traditional half-time.

Two separate Munster line-ups have been named to split the game-time evenly, with a further eight players listed as replacements.

Supporters will also get their first look at new signings JJ Hanrahan, Dan Kelly, and Conor Ryan in their first home appearance since joining during the summer.

Young talents Conor Bartley and Academy flanker Michael Foy are in line for their senior Munster debuts, while Ben O’Connor, Fionn Gibbons, Gordon Wood, and Ronan Foxe will make their first appearances of the 2025/26 campaign.

Six Munster Rugby Academy players are included: Michael Foy, Ben O’Connor, Gordon Wood, Ronan Foxe, Max Clein, and Seán Edogbo, highlighting the province’s commitment to developing homegrown talent.

Veteran hooker Niall Scannell will once again captain Munster, as he did against Gloucester, while Craig Casey will lead the side for the first time when he takes the field.

The squad will also showcase Munster’s brand-new adidas home jersey, giving fans a first look ahead of the United Rugby Championship campaign.

Munster Teams for Bath Clash

Team 1:
Shane Daly; Andrew Smith, Seán O’Brien, Dan Kelly, Diarmuid Kilgallen; JJ Hanrahan, Ethan Coughlan; Jeremy Loughman, Niall Scannell (C), Oli Jager; Evan O’Connell, Tom Ahern; Ruadhán Quinn, Alex Kendellen, Gavin Coombes.

Team 2:
Mike Haley; Ben O’Connor, Fionn Gibbons, Gordon Wood, Thaakir Abrahams; Tony Butler, Craig Casey (C); Michael Milne, Lee Barron, John Ryan; Conor Ryan, Fineen Wycherley; Jack O’Donoghue, John Hodnett, Brian Gleeson.

Replacements:
Max Clein, Mark Donnelly, Conor Bartley, Ronan Foxe, Michael Foy, Seán Edogbo, Paddy Patterson, Shay McCarthy.

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The agreement will see TG4 show 50% of URC games live each season, with the remaining fixtures broadcast on Premier Sports. RTÉ will not feature in coverage of the upcoming campaign.

TG4 has been a long-standing supporter of rugby in Ireland, and this latest deal ensures free-to-air access for half of all URC fixtures until at least 2029. The full list of televised matches for the 2025/26 season will be confirmed in the coming days.

This is a significant boost for rugby supporters nationwide, particularly those without access to subscription-only platforms. It also continues TG4’s strong tradition of covering Irish sport, from grassroots action to the international stage.

The new URC season promises another year of high-quality rugby, with Leinster, Munster, Connacht, and Ulster all targeting strong campaigns. Fans can look forward to top-class clashes, intense rivalries, and plenty of drama — all available live on TG4.

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In more good news for Munster fans

Shane Daly, Jeremy Loughman, Ethan Coughlan, Oli Jager and Lee Barron all made successful returns from injury.

With almost three weeks until the URC campaign kicks off away to Scarlets, the following players are increasing their training load and beginning to reintegrate to team training: Jean Kleyn (knee), Diarmuid Barron (shoulder), Edwin Edogbo (back) and Roman Salanoa (knee).

The post Clayton McMillan Outlines His Vision as New Munster Head Coach appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

Academy News

Josh Neill to join Leinster Rugby Academy in early 2026

Irish-qualified back-row added to the Year One intake; arrival scheduled after he completes his school year in South Africa.

Academy 2025/26
Back-row Forward
Irish-qualified

Announcement

Leinster Rugby Academy Manager, Simon Broughton, has confirmed that Josh Neill has been added to the Year One Academy intake and will link up with Leinster Rugby in the early months of 2026. Neill, an Irish-qualified back-row, currently attends Rondebosch Boys’ High School in Cape Town and was recently named in the South Africa U-18 squad for their summer series against France, England and Ireland.

Neill plays his club rugby with Western Province. His older brother, Jordan, is already based in Ireland and currently plays cricket with the Northern Knights. Jordan has represented Ireland U-19s and made his senior Ireland debut in a One Day International against the West Indies earlier this summer.

Leinster Rugby Academy 2025/26

Year One

Player	AIL Club
Tadhg Brophy	Naas RFC
Jack Deegan	Blackrock College RFC
Connor Fahy	Clontarf FC
Páidí Farrell	Old Wesley RFC
Lee Fitzpatrick	Blackrock College RGC
Todd Lawlor	Lansdowne FC
Ciarán Mangan	Blackrock College RFC
Alex Mullan	Blackrock College RFC
Josh Neill	TBC
Mahon Ronan	Old Wesley RFC

Year Two

Player	AIL Club
Oliver Coffey	Blackrock College RFC
Billy Corrigan	Old Wesley RFC
Caspar Gabriel	Terenure College RFC
Hugo McLaughlin	Lansdowne FC
Ruben Moloney	UCD RFC
Alan Spicer	Clontarf FC
Andrew Sparrow	St Mary’s College RFC
Stephen Smyth	Old Wesley RFC

Year Three

Player	AIL Club
Henry McErlean	Terenure College RFC
Liam Molony	Lansdowne FC
Conor O’Tighearnaigh	UCD RFC

All clubs listed are Energia All-Ireland League (AIL) affiliates where applicable.

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Team News

John McKee to Captain Leinster as Larmour, Henshaw & Byrne Return for Cardiff Clash

Leinster Rugby face Cardiff Rugby in a Bank of Ireland Pre-Season Friendly at Tallaght Stadium (KO 3pm). Tickets remain available.

Venue: Tallaght Stadium
Competition: Pre-Season Friendly
Kick-off: 3:00pm

Buy Tickets
Fixtures & Results

Match Preview & Key Storylines

• Captaincy: Hooker John McKee leads the side at Tallaght.
• Big Returns: Jordan Larmour and Robbie Henshaw are back after injury lay-offs.
• Playmaker Watch: Harry Byrne pulls on the blue jersey after a loan spell with Bristol Bears.
• Fan Engagement: Returning British & Irish Lions will attend and join a post-match signing session.
• South Africa Tour Looms: This is the squad’s only pre-season hit-out before the BKT URC opener away to the DHL Stormers.

Confirmed Leinster Rugby XV

#	Player	Position
15	Hugo McLaughlin	Full-back
14	Jordan Larmour	Right Wing
13	Hugh Cooney	Outside Centre
12	Charlie Tector	Inside Centre
11	Andrew Osborne	Left Wing
10	Harry Byrne	Out-half
9	Fintan Gunne	Scrum-half
1	Paddy McCarthy	Loosehead Prop
2	John McKee (C)	Hooker
3	Andrew Sparrow	Tighthead Prop
4	Brian Deeny	Lock
5	Diarmuid Mangan	Lock
6	Alex Soroka	Blindside Flanker
7	Will Connors	Openside Flanker
8	James Culhane	No. 8

Replacements (from)

Match-day bench to be confirmed from the following wider squad:

• Alex Usanov, Jerry Cahir, Stephen Smyth, Niall Smyth, Rabah Slimani
• Billy Corrigan, Mahon Ronan, Conor O’Tighearnaigh, Liam Molony
• Scott Penny, Cormac Foley, Caspar Gabriel, Ciarán Mangan
• Ciarán Frawley, Robbie Henshaw, Joshua Kenny, Ruben Moloney, Henry McErlean

FAQs

Will there be a signing session? Yes — the returning British & Irish Lions will take part in a post-match signing session for supporters.

Is this the only pre-season game? Yes, this is Leinster’s sole pre-season fixture before departing for South Africa and the BKT United Rugby Championship opener.

Who is captain? John McKee will captain the team from hooker.

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Connacht Name Strong Side for Pre-Season Clash with Sale

Connacht Rugby have announced their matchday squad for Friday night’s pre-season friendly against Sale Sharks at the Corpacq Stadium (kick-off 7:30pm), with a number of intriguing selections catching the eye.

Following a convincing win in last week’s behind-closed-doors friendly in Bristol, the coaching team have opted for a number of changes to ensure maximum playing opportunities for the group ahead of the new season.

The headline move sees Seán Naughton start at full-back for the second week in a row. The Academy player impressed against Bristol, and with limited depth at fifteen, this is another valuable opportunity to show his potential. Three more Academy players – Sean Walsh, Daniel Ryan and Matthew Victory – are named among the replacements.

Cian Prendergast captains the side and is joined by several Irish internationals returning to the starting XV after sitting out last week’s fixture. Jack Aungier, Darragh Murray and Shayne Bolton all start, while promising forward Ben Murphy is named on the bench.

At half-back, Jack Carty gets his first start of the season alongside skipper Caolin Blade. With Josh Ioane also in the squad, there’s growing optimism that Connacht could have a very effective playmaking duo to lean on throughout the campaign.

Another player under the spotlight is hooker Dylan Tierney-Martin (DTM). He has the ability to push on again this season, and with outside rumours of an NIQ hooker signing now appearing premature, this could be a defining year for him.

Elsewhere, David Hawkshaw and Cathal Forde form a physical midfield pairing, while Shayne Bolton provides real strike power out wide. In the pack, Denis Buckley, Jack Aungier and Tierney-Martin form the front row, with Josh Murphy and Darragh Murray combining in the engine room. The back row of Prendergast, Sean O’Brien and Sean Jansen provides balance and power.

Connacht XV to Face Sale Sharks

• 15. Seán Naughton
• 14. Chay Mullins
• 13. David Hawkshaw
• 12. Cathal Forde
• 11. Shayne Bolton
• 10. Jack Carty
• 9. Caolin Blade (C)
• 1. Denis Buckley
• 2. Dylan Tierney-Martin
• 3. Jack Aungier
• 4. Darragh Murray
• 5. Josh Murphy
• 6. Cian Prendergast (C)
• 7. Sean O’Brien
• 8. Sean Jansen

Replacements from: Eoin de Buitléar, Jordan Duggan, Sam Illo, Niall Murray, David O’Connor, Paul Boyle, Shamus Hurley-Langton, Ben Murphy, Josh Ioane, Sean Walsh, Byron Ralston, Shane Jennings, Colm Reilly, Daniel Ryan, Matthew Victory.

Sale Sharks XV vs Connacht Rugby

Alex Sanderson has picked a mix of youth and experience – plus one debutant – for Your Sharks’ pre-season friendly against Connacht Rugby at Heywood Road on Friday night.

Summer recruit Jacques Vermeulen starts against the URC side in a back row packed with power, while England u20s star Ollie Davies starts in the number ten shirt.

Sharks’ England and Lions stars are missing from the team having returned to training late, meaning the ever-present Rob du Preez captains the side from outside centre.

Friday 5 September, 7:30pm — Heywood Road

15. Tom Curtis

14. Tom O’Flaherty

13. Rob du Preez (C)

12. Rekeiti Ma’asi-White

11. Obi Ene

10. Ollie Davies

9. Raffi Quirke

1. Simon McIntyre

2. Tadgh McElroy

3. James Harper

4. Ben Bamber

5. Hyron Andrews

6. Jacques Vermeulen

7. Tristan Woodman

8. Sam Dugdale

Replacements: Ethan Caine, Tumy Onasanya, Patreece Bell, Patrick Hogg, Jos Gilmore, Frank Chatterton, Dom Hanson, Nye Thomas, Toby Wilson, Sam Bedlow, Joe Bedlow, Albert Bradshaw.

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Connacht Rugby and the IRFU have confirmed the appointment of Allan Temple Jones as the province’s new Head of Athletic Performance.

Temple Jones brings a wealth of experience across a wide range of rugby codes, with an impressive CV built on elite-level roles in Ireland, South Africa, and the international Sevens scene. He joins a new-look backroom team at Connacht this season, led by Stuart Lancaster and supported by Rob Seib.

Proven Success on the Global Stage

Temple Jones most recently served as head coach of the Ireland Women’s Sevens team, a role in which he guided the side to their first-ever title on the SVNS Series, with a standout victory in Perth in 2024. His leadership also saw the team qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

His latest stint with the Irish Sevens ran for two years, but it was actually his second spell with the programme, having worked as Head of Athletic Performance for the men’s and women’s Sevens teams from 2017 to 2021.

South African Roots, World-Class Pedigree

Between 2021 and 2023, Temple Jones worked with The Sharks in his native South Africa, where he held the position of Athletic Performance Manager. A Durban native, he spent a decade as Strength and Conditioning Coach for the Springbok Sevens, gaining a reputation as one of the best in the business during South Africa’s most successful period at Sevens level.

His achievements include:
– Olympic Bronze Medal
– Commonwealth Gold
– Two World Series Titles

Taking Over from Michael Kiely

Temple Jones replaces Michael Kiely, who departs after three years in the role. Connacht Rugby and the IRFU thanked Kiely for his commitment and contributions, wishing him every success in his next chapter.

A Forward-Focused Appointment

This high-profile appointment signals a serious intent from Connacht and the IRFU to drive elite performance standards heading into the next cycle of domestic and international rugby. With Stuart Lancaster at the helm and Rob Seib also part of the coaching ticket, Temple Jones joins a team determined to bring silverware west of the Shannon.

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THIS WEEK’S TV SPORT

⸻

RUGBY

Wednesday
• Brumbies v Lions – 11am – Sky Sports
• New Zealand U20s v Ireland U20s – 5pm – RugbyPass

Saturday
• New Zealand v France – 8pm – Sky Sports
• ANZAC XV v Lions – 11am – Sky Sports
• South Africa XV v Italy– 4:10pm – Sky Sports
• Portugal v Ireland – 7pm – Virgin Media One
• Argentina v England – 8:40pm – Sky Sports

⸻

GAA – Football

Saturday
• Limerick v Kildare – 2:30pm – RTÉ2
• Kerry v Tyrone – 5pm – RTÉ2

Sunday
• Meath v Donegal – 4pm – RTÉ2

⸻

FOOTBALL

Wednesday
• Champions League Qualifier – Shelbourne v Linfield – 7:45pm – RTÉ2

⸻

HORSE RACING

Newmarket Festival
• Thursday, Friday, Saturday – Virgin Media One

⸻

OTHER SPORTS

• Wimbledon – All week – BBC One / BBC Two
• Tour de France – All week – TNT Sports & TG4
• Diamond League Athletics – Friday, 7pm – Virgin Media Two

#WeekendSport #Rugby #GAA #Wimbledon #TourDeFrance #LeagueOfIreland #IrishSport

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