Irish Rugby

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Ireland Sevens Olympian Chay Mullins replaces the suspended wing Mack Hansen in a much-changed Connacht side to face Lyon in the European Challenge Cup in Galway on Saturday.

Mullins is among four changes in personnel in the backs with coach Pete Wilkins also making positional switches from the home defeat by Ulster in the United Rugby Championship.

Josh Ioane and Ben Murphy take over from Jack Carty and Caolin Blade in the half-backs with Shane Jennings drafted in at wing.

Argentina's Santiago Cordero switches from wing to full-back with Piers O'Connor moving to centre alongside Bundee Aki as Cathal Forde drops to a replacements bench which includes Blade.

Ireland prop Finlay Bealham and flankers Cian Prendergast and Shamus Hurley-Langton are the only forwards retained from the Ulster defeat.

Peter Dooley and Dave Heffernan are drafted into the front row with Oisin Dowling and Joe Joyce forming a new lock partnership and Sean Jansen taking over from Paul Boyle at number eight.

Boyle, hooker Dylan Tierney-Martin and second row Josh Murphy drop to the bench with Denis Buckley and Niall Murray not named in the matchday squad after starting against Ulster.

The contest is a battle between the top two sides in Pool 1 with Connacht leading the table by one point after opening bonus-point wins over Zebre and Perpignan.

Connacht: Cordero; Mullins, O'Conor, Aki, Jennings; Ioane, Murphy; Dooley, Heffernan, Bealham; Dowling, Joyce; Prendergast (capt), Hurley-Langton, Jansen

Replacements: Tierney-Martin, Duggan, Aungier, Murphy, Boyle, Blade, Forde, Hawkshaw

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Ireland prop Tadhg Furlong will make his first appearance for Leinster since October in Sunday's Investec Champions Cup game with La Rochelle.

Furlong, who missed Ireland's autumn internationals with a hamstring injury, will make his 150th appearance for Leinster, a landmark that will also be reached by scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park.

Leinster, who last won the European title in 2018, are unbeaten in this season's Champions Cup and in the United Rugby Championship.

Ronan O'Gara's La Rochelle have also won both of their European matches with Bath and Bristol to top Pool 2 on points difference ahead of Leinster.

La Rochelle, who defeated Leinster in the 2022 and 2023 finals, are missing experienced forward Will Skelton though injury as O'Gara names a 7-1 split on the bench.

Leinster have made just one change to their back line from December's win over Munster as Gibson-Park comes in for Luke McGrath at number nine.

Furlong and Cian Healy join Ronan Kelleher in an all-Ireland front row while Caelan Doris captains the team from number eight.

La Rochelle: Dulin; Nowell; Seuteni, Favre; Leyds; Hastoy, Kerr-Barlow; Wardi, Lespiaucq, Atonio; Lavault, Douglas; Boudehent, Jegou, Alldritt (capt).

Replacements: Clavier, Nail, Garnier, Marchais, Boichot, Kamoto, Thomas, Obiang Hguema.

Leinster: J Osborne; T O'Brien; Ringrose, Henshaw; J O'Brien; Prendergast, Gibson-Park; Healy, Kelleher, Furlong; J McCarthy, Ryan; Baird, van der Flier, Doris (capt).

Replacements: G McCarthy, Porter, Silmani, Snyman, Conan, McGrath, Byrne, Barrett.

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Munster's Peter O'Mahony has been ruled out while Saracens have recalled Liam Williams and Phil Brantingham for Saturday's Investec Champions Cup pool match at Thomond Park (17:30 GMT).

Jack Crowley, Conor Murray and Jack O'Donoghue all return for the hosts, but former club captain O'Mahony misses out having failed to recover from the calf contusion that has kept him out for a month.

For Saracens, who beat Bristol in the Premiership last week, Brantingham starts at loosehead prop in place of Rhys Carre, who has a back injury.

Wales international Williams, who scored in Saracens' win over Stade Francais in December, replaces Rotimi Segun on the right wing.

Saracens captain Maro Itoje will make his 50th Champions Cup appearance with Harry Wilson set for his full debut in the competition.

England hooker Theo Dan is named among the replacements having recovered from a calf issue while Max Eke and Nathan Michelow could make their Champions Cup debuts from the bench.

Saracens have won both of their pool games so far while Munster lost to Castres last time out having beaten Stade Francais in their opener. The Irish province lost to Leinster in their last game on 27 December.

Munster: M Haley; C Nash, T Farrell, R Scannell, S Daly; J Crowley, C Murray; D Bleuler, N Scannell, O Jager; F Wycherley, T Beirne (capt); J O'Donoghue, A Kendellen, G Coombes.

Replacements: D Barron, J Ryan, S Archer, T Ahern, J Hodnett, P Patterson, B Burns, B Gleeson.

Saracens: E Daly; L Williams, A Lozowski, N Tompkins, L Cinti; F Burke, I van Zyl; P Brantingham, J George, M Riccioni; M Itoje (capt), H Wilson; JM Gonzalez, B Earl, T Willis.

Replacements: T Dan, E Mawi, A Clarey, M Eke, N Michelow, G Simpson, O Hartley, T Elliott.

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The Wolfhounds and Clovers have named their teams for this weekend's Celtic Challenge games.

The Wolfhounds travel to Wales to Brython Thunder on Saturday (12:00) in a game that can be watched live on the BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport website before Clovers host Edinburgh in Cork (15:00).

Clovers head coach Denis Fogarty has made three changes from last week's bonus-point win over Gwalia Lightning in Belfast, with Amee Leigh Costigan, Jemina Adams Verling and Aoife Corey named to start. Maebh Deely switches from full-back to the left wing.

Wolfhounds boss Neill Alcorn makes two changes from last week's bonus-point victory over Glasgow Warriors with wing Ella Roberts and scrum-half Jade Gaffney coming into the side.

Edinburgh and the two Irish sides are level on 10 points with the Scots topping the table on points difference. The Wolfhounds and Clovers have both won two of their three games while Edinburgh have secured two victories from two.

Clovers team v Edinburgh: Aoife Corey; Amee Leigh Costigan, Anna McGann, Enya Breen (capt), Meabh Deely; Nicole Fowley, Emily Lane; Siobhan McCarthy, Beth Buttimer, Sadhbh McGrath; Ruth Campbell, Jane Neill; Jemima Adams Verling, Deirbhile Nic a Bhaird, Ivana Kiripati.

Replacements: Emily Gavin, Grainne Burke, Sophie Barrett, Jane Clohessy, Shirley Bailey, Grainne Moran, Caitriona Finn, Chisom Ugwueru.

Wolfhounds team v Brython Thunder: Stacey Flood; Ella Roberts, Aoife Dalton, Eve Higgins, Amy Larn; Dannah O'Brien, Jade Gaffney; Niamh O'Dowd, Maebh Clenaghan, Linda Djougang, Alma Atagamen, Cliodhna Ni Chonchobhair; Molly Boyne, Claire Boles (capt), Erin King.

Replacements: Kelly Burke, Tricia Doyle, Christy Haney, Ciara Short, Caoimhe Molloy, Rachael McIlroy, Leah Tarpey, Katie Heffernan.

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Ulster back row James McNabney says his confidence "is growing week by week" as he continues to establish himself as a regular starter in head coach Richie Murphy's team this season.

The 21-year-old made three appearances for the Irish province in the 2023-24 campaign but has featured in seven games to date this term, including six starting roles at either flanker or number eight.

McNabney has been on the field from the start in the wins over Glasgow Warriors and Connacht, as well as defeats by Bulls, Leinster, Toulouse and Munster.

"I knew within myself I had the capability, I just needed the opportunity," said McNabney before Saturday's Investec Champions Cup pool game against Leicester Tigers at Welford Road.

"Week by week confidence is growing and you can probably see that in my performances. As you get to know the players more the more you feel you can fit in and play round them."

McNabney did not play mini-rugby - his early sporting interest was focused more on horse riding - but he took up the game while a pupil at Cambridge House Grammar School.

The Ballymena native went on to be part of the 2022 and 2023 Ireland Under-20s Grand Slam-winning sides under Murphy, as well as being a member of the Ulster Rugby Academy, an opportunity to "mature and grow".

"It's probably a good thing I came the path I did. I was more raw when I started, getting to know different rules and the knowledge that I didn't have," said McNabney.

"If you had gone to more of a rugby school you'd have gone into that in more depth and not coming from that the more I get to know now the more I've excelled.

"Other people have maybe hit their ceiling whereas I'm moving on."

McNabney's laid-back approach to the game leaves him relatively unfazed by the prospect of facing Michael Cheika's English Premiership side but his determination to build on a URC win over Connacht in their last outing is clear.

"Every team you face are just 15 players and they are beatable so go out with confidence. I'll just take it in my stride and hopefully play well," he said.

"We know they're going to be a big physical side and we know what they're going to bring but you can only look at them so much because you need to focus on yourself and focus on the team.

"The win over Connacht was only one win. We need to back it up this week with a good performance."

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Head coach Richie Murphy says there is "always going to be speculation" after Ulster were linked with a move for coach Mark Sexton.

Sexton, brother of former Ireland fly-half Johnny, will leave Connacht at the end of the season to take up "a new opportunity".

Murphy said there is "potentially a new coaching position" at Ulster but did not say any more on Sexton.

"We're fairly a long way down the process of setting our coaching team for next year, but we're not finished yet," said Murphy.

"There are obviously a couple of coaches that are off contract at the end of the year that are currently with us.

"Over the next number of weeks we'll feel like we will be in a position to be able to clarify exactly what is happening next year.

"At this moment we are probably not there yet."

Sexton, who was promoted to Connacht's attack coach this season, previously worked with Murphy as Ireland won two Grand Slams in the Under-20s Six Nations.

"There is potentially a new coaching position within Ulster Rugby. There definitely is, and a restructuring of different roles as well.

"It's unfair, and it's unfinished at the moment, so I can't really confirm what that looks like."

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Full-back Hugo Keenan is among the Ireland internationals set for a Leinster return in Sunday's Investec Champions Cup match at La Rochelle (15:15 GMT).

Keenan has not played since injuring his wrist in Ireland's win over Australia on 30 November.

But the 28-year-old has been cleared to return, as have Jack Conan, Ciaran Frawley, Thomas Clarkson and Max Deegan.

Ireland prop Tadhg Furlong is also nearing a return with the club saying a decision on his availability will be made later in the week.

Furlong has not played since October because of a hamstring problem.

Leinster have also confirmed hooker Dan Sheehan's return to on-field training as he continues his comeback from the anterior cruciate ligament injury that has kept him out since the summer.

Leinster are aiming for a 12th successive win in all competitions this season. They lost the 2022 and 2023 Champions Cup finals to Ronan O'Gara's La Rochelle but exacted revenge with wins in the pool stage and quarter-finals last season.

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Connacht scrum-half Ben Murphy has signed a contract extension with the club, while Tom Ahern has extended his deal with Munster.

Murphy, the son and brother of Ulster head coach and fly-half Richie and Jack, will remain with the Westerners until at least the end of the 2025-26 season.

The 23-year-old joined Connacht from Leinster last summer.

Back row Paul Boyle is also remaining with Connacht after the one-time Ireland international signed a two-year extension.

Ahern, meanwhile, has signed a new Munster deal which ties the 24-year-old down until the end of the 2026-27 campaign.

The lock, who can also play in the back row, enjoyed an outstanding 2023-24 season and was included in Ireland's 2024 Six Nations squad as a training panellist before being sidelined with injury.

Munster have also confirmed that academy winger Shay McCarthy will move up to the senior squad next season on a two-year deal.

The 22-year-old scored on his Champions Cup debut in December 2023 and has scored two tries in five games this season.

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Connacht have confirmed that attack coach Mark Sexton will leave the province at the end of the season.

The club said Sexton, brother of former Ireland captain Johnny, has "decided to finish his time with the club at the end of the season, to take up a new opportunity".

Connacht promoted Sexton to attack coach last year following a spell as the club's elite development officer.

Sexton also previously worked with Ulster head coach Richie Murphy with the Ireland Under-20s, winning two Six Nations Grand Slams.

"We'd like to thank Mark for all his contributions to Connacht, and wish him well for the future," Connacht said in a brief statement.

"Here's to a strong end to the season."

Connacht are currently 13th in the United Rugby Championship table and face Lyon at home on Saturday in their third Challenge Cup pool game.

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Ireland wing Mack Hansen will face a disciplinary hearing on Wednesday following critical comments he made about the officiating in Connacht games after last month's defeat by Leinster.

Hansen said the refereeing of his side's United Rugby Championship (URC) 20-12 loss at Aviva Stadium on 21 December made it feel like they were playing against "16 men".

Connacht coach Pete Wilkins was asked if he agreed with the Ireland wing's assertion before the 26-year-old interjected to add: "Can I say something real quick about the situation?

"Like, I feel like we get this every week. We never get any calls, ever. I've been feeling this for years now."

Hansen, who has scored 13 tries in 27 Ireland appearances, will appear before a URC disciplinary committee.

URC disciplinary guide, law 3.3.13, states foul play can include statements that are "unsporting and/or insulting".

Connacht are next in action against Lyon in the European Challenge Cup on Friday, while Hansen is expected to be part of Ireland's Six Nations squad for a campaign that begins against England on 1 February.

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Michael Lowry is out of Ulster's Investec Champions Cup game against Leicester on Saturday after being added to the Irish province's lengthy injury list but Iain Henderson will be available for the Welford Road game.

Utility back Lowry suffered a thigh muscle injury in the win over Connacht on 28 December.

Hooker Rob Herring was a late withdrawal from the game in Galway after sustaining a calf injury in the warm-up and his fitness will be monitored this week.

Ireland lock Henderson will join Ethan McIlroy and Callum Reid in being available for selection after a recent absence while Stewart Moore has resumed squad training following a thigh injury.

Henderson missed the games over the Christmas period against Munster and Connacht after sustaining an injury in the Champions Cup home defeat by Bordeaux.

Ireland internationals Jacob Stockdale (hamstring), Stuart McCloskey (hamstring), Robert Baloucoune (calf), Tom Stewart (hamstring) and James Hume (knee) are among Ulster's injury absentees with Ben Moxham (knee) and Sean Reffell (ankle) also ruled out of the Leicester contest.

Tom O'Toole will miss Saturday's game after being handed a six-game suspension which will rule him out of Ulster's next three matches and Ireland's opening two Six Nations fixtures against England and Scotland.

O'Toole was red carded against Munster and served the first game of his suspension when missing the Connacht game.

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Wolfhounds: (36) 48

Tries: Djougang, Corrigan 3, King 2, O'Dowd, Higgins Cons: O'Brien 4

Glasgow Warriors (0) 7

Try: Tucker Con: McNamara

Wolfhounds got back to winning ways in the Celtic Challenge with a 48-7 victory against Glasgow Warriors at Kingspan Stadium.

After losing against Clovers last time out, Wolfhounds raced into an early lead as Stacey Flood offloaded to Linda Djougang, who crossed with Dannah O'Brien converting.

The home team got their second try after 14 minutes as patient build-up play allowed Flood to find Katie Corrigan out wide to touch down and O'Brien added the extras from the tee.

Erin King then crashed over twice, Niamh O'Dowd bustled her way through and Corrigan registered another to stretch Wolfhounds' lead before half-time.

Corrigan completed her hat-trick soon after the restart, dotting down in the corner.

Glasgow were much improved in the second half and got their first and only try after 55 minutes when captain Ailie Tucker bundled over with Briar McNamara kicking the conversion.

Eve Higgins darted through a gap to score Wolfhounds' eighth and final try to round off the victory.

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Clovers: (17) 29

Tries: Lane 2, McInerney, Clarke, Barrett Cons: Fowley, Finn

Gwalia: (0) 7

Try: Reardon Con: Hughes

Clovers made it back-to-back victories in the Celtic Challenge as they picked up a bonus-point win against Gwalia Lightning at Kingspan Stadium.

Denis Fogarty's side started brightly in Belfast and went ahead on seven minutes as Emily Lane raced through to score the opening try, with Nicole Fowley converting.

Anna McGann, playing her first 15-a-side game in two years after injury, launched a swift counter-attack, and fed Alanna McInerney, who crossed for their second try soon after.

Clovers continued to dominate and registered their third try of the half when Hannah Clarke bustled her way through before touching down with Fowley unable to add the extras.

Gwalia were much improved after the break and Molly Reardon restored hope for the Welsh, side getting their first try soon after the restart after patient build-up play.

Paris Hughes reduced the deficit further by nailing the conversion.

Clovers swiftly responded by clinching the bonus-point as Lane dotted down again.

Replacement Sophie Barrett then got their fifth try after good work from the maul as they saw out a comfortable win.

Clovers: Deely; McInerney, McGann, Breen, Clarke; Fowley, Lane; McCarthy, Buttimer, McGrath, Campbell, Neill; McMahon, Nic a Bháird, Kiripati.

Replacements: Gavin, Burke, Barrett, Oviawe, Adams, Moran, Finn, Costigan.

Gwalia Lightning: Greenway; Lewis, Williams-Morris, Anderson-Thomas, Davies, Hughes, Bevans; Davies, Reardon, Scoble, Terry, Pyrs, Baverstock, P Jones, Hopkins.

Replacements: Wakely, Hopkins, Dinapoli, E Jones, Buffery-Latham, Lockwood, Fajeyisan, Grundy.

Image source, Getty Images

Ireland Sevens Anna McGann is the sole change to the Clovers starting team for their third Celtic Challenge game against Gwalia Lightning on Saturday.

McGann partners captain Enya Breen in the centre for the game at the Kingspan Stadium on Saturday morning, replacing Munster's Ellen Boylan.

The Clovers picked up a bonus point 31-10 win over the Wolfhounds in their last game after losing their opener 33-7 against Neil Alcorn's side.

Lightning are currently top of the table and have made five changes from their last game with Wales duo Sian Jones and Bryonie King missing.

Clovers: Deely; McInerney, McGann, Breen, Clarke; Fowley, Lane; McCarthy, Buttimer, McGrath, Campbell, Neill; McMahon, Nic a Bháird, Kiripati.

Replacements: Gavin, Burke, Barrett, Oviawe, Adams, Moran, Finn, Costigan.

Gwalia Lightning: Greenway; Lewis, Williams-Morris, Anderson-Thomas, Davies, Hughes, Bevans; Davies, Reardon, Scoble, Terry, Pyrs, Baverstock, P Jones, Hopkins.

Replacements: Wakely, Hopkins, Dinapoli, E Jones, Buffery-Latham, Lockwood, Fajeyisan, Grundy.

Wolfhounds face Glasgow Warriors on Saturday afternoon at Kingspan Stadium, hoping to bounce back from their loss against Clovers.

Head coach Alcorn has made three changes from their defeat last time out as they take on a Glasgow side that were beaten 63-15 by Edinburgh in their only game so far.

Katie Corrigan, Erin McConnell and Cliodhna Ni Chonchobhair come into the side for Vicky Elms, Katie Whelan and Poppy Garvey.

Wolfhounds: Flood; Corrigan Kinlan, Dalton, Higgins, Larn; O'Brien, McConnell; O'Dowd, Clenaghan, Djougang; Atagamen, Ni Chonchobhair; Boyne, Boles, King.

Replacements: Burke, Doyle, Molloy, Haney, Short, Whelan, Elms, Burns.

Glasgow Warriors: Phimster; Evans, Proctor, McNamara, Deane, Ainsworth; McDonald, Tucker, Hyland; Lindsay, Bogan, Zameer; Foley, Bell, Coubrough.

Replacements: Sutcliffe, Ward, Downie, Sinclai, Walker, Nelson, Mellanby, McGuire Evans.

Image source, Getty Images

Ulster back row Nick Timoney has agreed a new two-year contract which will keep him with the Irish province until at least 2027.

The 29-year-old has been a key figure for Ulster in recent seasons and captained the team to victory over Connacht in Galway at the weekend, delivering a player-of-the-match performance.

His eye-catching performances across the back row and try-scoring ability have also seen him become a regular member of the Ireland squad over the past few years, having made his debut against the USA in 2021.

Timoney has made more than 150 appearances for Ulster.

Ulster Rugby's general manager Bryn Cunningham said: "Agreeing terms with Nick before the Christmas period was a high priority for us, and we are delighted that he is fully invested in what we are trying to build here.

"Nick is one of the most well-rounded back-row players in Europe and it's been no surprise to hear about interest in him from other big clubs.

"He is someone that is a standard-setter to those around him and is a very popular member of the senior squad because of the attitude, commitment and leadership he puts in every week, and he will be a key part of this team's future."

Reacting to the confirmation of his new deal Timoney said he was "delighted" to extend his stay with the northern province.

"I feel very at home here and believe we have the squad to develop and become better in the years ahead.

"We have some young talent coming through that adds to our group of experienced players and that is something that both excites and motivates you for the seasons ahead.

"I've said I want to keep progressing as a player and I fully believe I can become the best I can be here at Ulster."