Irish Rugby

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Munster's interim head coach Ian Costello hailed the performance of centre Tom Farrell after his side beat Ulster 22-19 in Kingspan Stadium.

The summer signing from Connacht scored a hat-trick, including the winning try in the game's final minute, to help the southern province past Ulster who had prop Tom O'Toole sent off in the 31st minute.

"I can't stress enough how good Tom has been for us this season, he's played so many minutes," said Costello, whose side jumped from 11th to fifth in the United Rugby Championship [URC] table with the win.

"We were joking that he's played his quota from last season and we're not even halfway through yet.

"He's been brilliant on and off the pitch, but tonight was definitely his best on-pitch performance."

The 31-year-old has played all but 13 minutes of Munster's season so far, although will be asked to go again against Leinster on 27 December after his centre partner Alex Nankivell was injured in the incident that brought O'Toole's dismissal.

"He would have been looking for a rest soon, but Alex is going to get the next rest," added Costello.

"His hamstring isn't great after that clearout, so Tom will go another week and we'll give him a few days off after Christmas then."

Munster hooker Niall Scannell described Farrell's form as "unbelievable" since his switch to Thomond Park.

"Every time he touched the ball he was just a go-forward machine, but he's a hugely popular addition to the squad," he said.

"He's been unbelievable and I think you can see [that] when he gets on the front foot, with his skill set and particularly his handling game, he's just feeding fellas around him."

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Ireland's Bundee Aki, Mack Hansen and Finlay Bealham have returned to the Connacht line-up for Saturday's United Rugby Championship trip to Leinster (17:30 GMT).

The international trio were rested for Connacht's Challenge Cup games after their exertions during Ireland's Autumn Nations Series.

They will face a much-changed Leinster team with only All Blacks star Jordie Barrett and Jimmy O'Brien retained from last week's Investec Champions Cup win over Clermont.

Barrett, making his first URC appearance, switches from full-back to inside centre while O'Brien moves from the wing to full-back.

With Sam Prendergast rested, Ross Byrne is recalled at fly-half while two-time World Cup winning Springbok second row RG Snyman makes his first start since October.

URC table-toppers Leinster have won all seven games this season while Connacht are eighth after three victories and four defeats, including a 33-12 reverse to Leo Cullen's side in October.

Leinster: J O'Brien; A Arenzana-King, C Tector, J Barrett, A Osborne; R Byrne, L McGrath; J Boyle, G McCarthy, R Slimani; D Mangan, RG Snyman; A Soroka, S Penny, J Conan (capt).

Replacements: L Barron, M Milne, C Healy, B Deeny, R Baird, J Gibson-Park, H Byrne, M Deegan.

Connacht: P O'Conor; M Hansen, C Forde, B Aki, S Jennings; J Ioane, B Murphy; D Buckley, D Heffernan, F Bealham; J Murphy, D Murray; C Prendergast (capt) S Hurley-Langton, P Boyle.

Replacements: D Tierney-Martin, J Duggan, J Aungier, O Dowling, S Jansen, C Blade, S Cordero, C Oliver.

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Utility back Michael Lowry has become the latest player to commit his future to Ulster, signing a three-year extension that will keep him at the club until 2028.

The 26-year-old has made over 100 appearances for the province since his debut in 2018.

His outstanding form during the 2020-21 season earned him a place at full-back in the Pro14 dream team before marking his sole Ireland cap with two tries in the 2022 Six Nations win over Italy.

Lowry said he was "delighted" to extend his deal with Ulster.

"I am excited for the future of this group and looking forward to seeing where we can get to both as a team and individually," he added.

Ulster general manager Bryn Cunningham praised Lowry's "exemplary" attitude and professionalism.

"His versatility is also a huge strength, whether playing on the wing or at full-back, and his competitiveness on the pitch belies his physical stature," added Cunningham.

"With young backs coming through, Michael is the perfect role model for others to follow."

Lowry follows Ben Carson in extending his Ulster deal while on Thursday Ireland Sevens star Zac Ward signed a three-year contract after impressing during his trial period.

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World Rugby breakthrough player of the year Erin King has been named in a strong Wolfhounds team for Sunday's Celtic Challenge opener against the Clovers in Dublin (16:00 GMT).

King, who won the World Rugby award in November after her two-try star turn in Ireland's memorable WXV1 win over New Zealand, is named at number eight for the holders.

The 21-year-old returns to the 15s game after playing for Ireland in the World Rugby Sevens rounds in Dubai and Cape Town earlier this month.

Ulster's Claire Boles, who captains the Wolfhounds, and Molly Boyne complete the backrow, while Irish internationals Dannah O'Brien, Eve Higgins, Aoife Dalton and Stacey Flood are also included.

Rugby Writers of Ireland player of the year Aoife Wafer, however, is not included in the Wolfhounds squad.

The Clovers also boast a healthy contingent of international experience, spearheaded by captain Enya Breen, with Edel McMahon and Amee Leigh Costigan available from the bench.

After Sunday's opener at Energia Park, the competition's two Irish sides will meet again at UCD on 28 December.

The expanded format of this year's competition will see teams play 10 fixtures - five at home and five away.

Watch Wolfhounds v Clovers live on BBC iPlayer & BBC Sport website

Wolfhounds: Stacey Flood; Vicky Elmes Kinlan, Aoife Dalton, Eve Higgins, Amy Larn; Dannah O'Brien, Katie Whelan; Niamh O'Dowd, Maebh Clenaghan, Linda Djougang; Alma Atagamen, Poppy Garvey, Molly Boyne, Claire Boles (capt), Erin King.

Replacements: Kelly Burke, Tricia Doyle, Caoimhe Molloy, Cliodhna Ni Chonchobhair, Ciara Short, Erin McConnell, Megan Burns, Katie Corrigan.

Clovers: Meabh Deely, Hannah Clarke, Ellen Boylan, Enya Breen (capt), Chisom Ugwueru; Nicole Fowley, Emily Lane; Siobhan McCarthy, Beth Buttimer, Sophie Barrett; Jane Neill, Ruth Campbell; Jemima Adams Verling, Deirbhile Nic a Bhaird,. Ivana Kiripati

Replacements: Saoirse Crowe, Grainne Burke, Sadhbh McGrath, Faith Oviawe, Edel McMahon, Grainne Moran, Caitriona Finn, Amee Leigh Costigan.

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Zac Ward has signed a three-year contract with UIster which will keep the winger at the club until 2028.

The 26-year-old joined Ulster on a trial after impressing for the Ireland Sevens side at the Paris Olympics in the summer.

Ward, whose father Andy won a European Cup with UIster in 1999, made his debut for the province in last week's Champions Cup defeat by Bordeaux.

"After the summer Olympics in Paris, I was ready for a change after some amazing experiences with the Ireland Sevens programme," said Ward, who has retained his starting spot for Friday's United Rugby Championship game with Munster.

"I always dreamed of playing for my home province as a boy, as I watched my dad play in an Ulster jersey growing up."

Ward, whose younger brother Bryn is part of Ulster's academy, added: "I'm also mates with a few of the guys who were already in the side and the others were fantastic in welcoming me into the set-up.

"With the help of the coaches, players and staff here, I want to kick on and hopefully make plenty of good memories playing for Ulster."

Ulster general manager Bryn Cunningham said: "We identified Zac as somebody who could be a good addition to the Senior squad, and we have been impressed with how he has settled into the group.

"Watching his performances in the Sevens game, we felt that he showcased a number of transferable skills for the XVs game, with his strengths in ball-carrying, his speed, aerial skills, and try-scoring ability all strong attributes for playing in the backfield.

"It's also a great example of someone who hasn't come through the traditional route into the senior men's side, so credit to Zac and the journey he has been on."

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Fit-again John Cooney has returned for Ulster's United Rugby Championship game against Munster on Friday (19:35 GMT), while academy fly-half Jack Murphy could make his debut off the bench.

Ireland Under-20 international Murphy, the son of head coach Richie Murphy, joined the Ulster academy from Leinster earlier this year.

The 20-year-old started all five of Ireland's games in this year's Under-20 Six Nations.

Scrum-half Cooney, who missed Ulster's Investec Champions Cup losses to Toulouse and Bordeaux, is recalled to partner Aidan Morgan in the half-backs.

There are four changes in the forwards. Andrew Warwick replaces Eric O'Sullivan at loosehead prop, Alan O'Connor deputises for injured captain Iain Henderson in the second row while James McNabney and Marcus Rea are recalled to the back row.

Zac Ward is retained on the left wing after making his debut in last week's defeat by Bordeaux.

As well as Henderson, Ulster are without Cormac Izuchukwu, Nathan Doak, Ben Carson, Stewart Moore and Jacob Stockdale.

Munster make six changes to the side that lost to Castres in Europe last weekend with Shane Daly, Paddy Patterson, John Ryan, Tom Ahern, Jack O'Donoghue and Gavin Coombes all recalled.

Ireland forwards Peter O'Mahony and Tadhg Beirne are not involved for Munster who, like Ulster, have three wins and four defeats in this season's URC.

Ulster: Michael Lowry; Werner Kok, Jude Postlethwaite, Stuart McCloskey, Zac Ward; Aidan Morgan, John Cooney; Andrew Warwick, Rob Herring, Tom O'Toole; Alan O'Connor (capt), Kieran Treadwell; James McNabney, Marcus Rea, David McCann.

Replacements: John Andrew, Eric O'Sullivan, Scott Wilson, Harry Sheridan, Matty Rea, Dave Shanahan, Jack Murphy, Rory Telfer.

Munster: Mike Haley; Calvin Nash, Tom Farrell, Alex Nankivell, Shane Daly; Jack Crowley, Paddy Patterson; John Ryan, Niall Scannell, Stephen Archer; Tom Ahern, Fineen Wycherley; Jack O'Donoghue (capt), John Hodnett, Gavin Coombes.

Replacements: Eoghan Clarke, Dave Kilcoyne, Oli Jager, Evan O'Connell, Alex Kendellen, Ethan Coughlan, Rory Scannell, Brian Gleeson.

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Ulster centre Ben Carson has signed a three-year contract extension which will keep him at the club until 2028.

Carson, 22, made his first senior start in October and scored two tries in Ulster's United Rugby Championship defeat by Leinster at the end of November.

The Lisburn native won a Six Nations Grand Slam with the Ireland Under-20s under current Ulster head coach Richie Murphy in 2022.

"I'm so excited for what the future holds. It's been a dream of mine since I was young to play for Ulster, and this season I have earned more opportunities to stake my claim," said Carson, who missed Ulster's Investec Champions Cup loss to Bordeaux last weekend because of injury.

"For me, I want to keep developing my game and establish myself within the team in the months ahead."

Ulster general manager Bryn Cunningham said the club are "delighted" and are "excited to see how he grows in the Ulster jersey".

"He is a tenacious centre, who is busy around the park and has undoubtedly been one of the biggest improvers in our squad over the last 6-12 months," said Cunningham.

"That growth has translated into strong recent performances and Ben putting his hand up for selection every week."

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Forwards coach Jimmy Duffy says there has been a "lot of niggle" in training as Ulster look to end their disappointing run of form.

Ulster have lost their last four matches as they prepare to host inter-provincial rivals Munster in the United Rugby Championship on Friday.

Richie Murphy's side lost to Cardiff and Leinster in the URC either side of the autumn internationals, before heavy defeats by Toulouse and Bordeaux in Europe.

The defeat by Bordeaux in Belfast was particularity painful as the French side scored 26 unanswered points after Ulster worked their way into a first-half lead.

Duffy said he was focusing on the positives, rather than the negatives, and "all the signs are pointing in the right direction".

"The lads care which is the big thing," said Duffy.

"You can see it on their faces and there's been a lot of niggle in training over the last number of weeks, which is good - niggle in the right way.

"People want to get better and they want to win, so it'll come. It will come."

Despite the difficult run of form, albeit three of those matches were against some of the best teams in Europe, Duffy added that "it's not doom and gloom" within the squad.

"We've spoken about it being a young group and giving it time, but they're still ambitious.

"They've played the European champions and French finalists in the past two weekends, that is where you get burnt and get better.

"The lads are enjoying each other's company and working hard in there.

"We're on a journey as a club and we're trying to build pathways to make these guys as good as they can be."

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Leinster second row James Ryan and Connacht centre Bundee Aki have signed contract extensions with the Irish Rugby Football Union [IRFU].

Aki's new deal will keep him with Connacht and Ireland until the summer of 2026, while Ryan has extended his contract until 2028.

New Zealand native Aki, 34, arrived in Galway in 2014 and made his Ireland debut against South Africa in 2017 upon the completion of a thee-year residency period.

He has won 60 caps and has made a 142 appearances for Connacht.

"I love playing rugby in Ireland and believe that this is the right environment for me to progress as a player," said Aki.

"I would like to thank the IRFU for their support and I'm excited for what the future holds in green in the years ahead."

IRFU performance director, David Humphreys feels Aki still "has a lot more to offer" in the coming years.

"Bundee has displayed a consistently high level of performance for club and country in recent years and we are delighted to extend his deal," he said.

"We believe that Bundee has a lot more to offer on the field and has a big role in helping to develop the next batch of exciting youngsters out west in Connacht and within the wider Ireland panel."

Ryan has been a key figure for Leinster and Ireland in recent seasons, winning 67 Test caps in addition to his 89 appearances for the Dublin-based club.

The 28-year-old, who has won three Six Nations titles, started three of Ireland's four Autumn Nations Series matches last month.

"Playing in ambitious set-ups is a big driver for me personally and I know how committed everyone in Irish Rugby is to work hard and achieve success," said Ryan.

"It is a privilege to play for my home province and my country and, with the talent coming through the Academy systems, I am excited about what the future holds in blue and green."

Humphreys added: "We believe that James' best years are ahead of him and look forward to watching him progress in the seasons to come."

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Stormers and South Africa prop Steven Kitshoff has revealed a neck injury he sustained in a scrum earlier this year left him "two millimetres from death".

The 32-year-old, who spent the 2023-24 season with Irish province Ulster, did not initially realise the severity of the issue sustained in a Currie Cup match for Western Province against Griquas in September.

He had surgery on the injury last month and faces a long recovery before he can return to playing.

"It was just another scrum, then three cracking noises - pop, pop, pop," Kitshoff told Rapport newspaper.

"I kept playing, thinking it was a pulled muscle. But now I know, I was two millimetres away from catastrophe, from death.

"The first thing the specialist said to me was 'listen, you're lucky we didn't bury you in a week', because the vertebra that shifted is so close to my brain canal."

Kitshoff's most recent Test appearance for South Africa came in the World Cup final against New Zealand last year but he has not given up hope of adding to his 83 international caps.

"Without the operation, I'd never play rugby again," he added.

"If my neck holds up, I'm going for it. If I have to retire, I'll be satisfied but I'm not done yet. I've always been a warrior for my team.

"Rugby's a dangerous sport, but I'll give my all because I'm fighting for my team."

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Ulster have a long list of injury doubts for Friday night's United Rugby Championship encounter against Irish rivals Munster at Kingspan Stadium.

Iain Henderson, Cormac Izuchukwu, Nick Timoney, Werner Kok, Nathan Doak and Aidan Morgan all picked up injuries in the Investec Champions Cup defeat by Bordeaux on Saturday.

Ulster said on Monday that the six players will be "monitored through training this week to ascertain their fitness to play in Friday's fixture".

Ben Carson and Stewart Moore, who were injured in Ulster's opening Champions Cup game against Toulouse, are "ongoing doubts" for the inter-provincial showdown.

However, there was some good news for Ulster with scrum-half John Cooney available for selection after resuming full team training.

Munster's weekend defeat by Castres also came at a cost with Craig Casey needing surgery after he sustained a meniscus injury.

Thaakir Abrahams dislocated his shoulder and will have scans to determine whether he requires surgery.

Dian Bleuler was removed after failing his head injury assessment and is following the return-to-play protocols while Diarmuid Barron passed his HIA and will be monitored following a shoulder injury.

Peter O'Mahony is a doubt with a calf contusion and Jean Kleyn is seeing a specialist for a thigh injury.

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Zac Ward enjoyed his first appearance for Ulster despite the 40-19 defeat by Bordeaux in the Investec Champions Cup on Saturday.

Ulster led 19-14 at the break in Belfast before the French visitors hit 26 unanswered points in the second half.

Ward impressed for Ireland Sevens in the Paris Olympics before joining the Ulster squad on a trial at the start of this season.

"Yeah, very conflicting [emotions] - I was personally really happy to get my first cap, it was a bit of a boyhood dream come true," said the 26-year-old wing.

"But obviously it would have been quite nice to top it off with a win. We started really well, we had a really good first 40 minutes. We stuck to our gameplan, we imposed ourselves well and cause Bordeaux a lot of trouble.

"In the second half - I'm not too sure what happened - the next thing we knew we were 30 odd points to 19 down so we'll have to look back and try to fix what went wrong for next week against Munster."

It was a fourth straight defeat for Ulster as they prepare to face their Irish rivals at Kingspan Stadium on Friday night.

Ward has settled well at Ulster and hopes to keep his spot in the team for the Munster showdown.

"I'm loving it - I was definitely ready for the change off the back of the Olympics and ever since I've come into Ulster I've felt really welcomed.

"I was relatively happy with how I played [against Bordeaux] and I thought I played to my strengths which was with ball in hand.

"So hopefully I can get in the team against for next week and try to do more of the same."