Irish Rugby

Image source, Inpho

Fit-again Ireland centre Garry Ringrose will make his Leinster return in Saturday's United Rugby Championship semi-final against the Bulls (15:00 BST).

Ringrose, who has played once since January (for Ireland in the Six Nations) because of a shoulder problem, replaces Jamie Osborne in Leinster's only change from last week's quarter-final win over Ulster.

British and Irish Lions number eight Jack Conan has also recovered from injury and is named on the bench for the game in Pretoria.

If Leinster win and Glasgow beat Munster in the other semi-final, Leinster will face Glasgow at Croke Park in the final on 22 June. If Leinster and Munster both win, the final will be at Thomond Park.

Leinster: Jimmy O'Brien; Jordan Larmour, Garry Ringrose, Robbie Henshaw, James Lowe; Ross Byrne, Jamison Gibson-Park; Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong; Joe McCarthy, James Ryan (capt); Ryan Baird, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris

Replacements: Ronan Kelleher, Cian Healy, Michael Ala’alatoa, Ross Molony, Jack Conan, Luke McGrath, Ciarán Frawley, Jamie Osborne.

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Ireland under-20s fly-half Jack Murphy and centres Sam Berman and Wilhelm de Klerk are among seven players added to Ulster's academy for the 2024-25 season.

Murphy, the son of Ulster head coach Richie Murphy, was Ireland's starting 10 in this year's Under-20 Six Nations, while South Africa-born De Klerk started all five games at 13.

Murphy, De Klerk and Berman - who has also been capped at U20 level - all join from the Leinster academy.

James McKillop (second row/back row), Bryn Ward (back row), Clarke Logan (scrum-half) and Jonny Scott (centre) will also join the UIster academy.

"The seven players joining us have showed great potential and have all played in the national pathway teams," said Ulster academy manager Gavin Hogg.

"We look forward to working with these players and helping their development, along with the 13 players who are progressing onto Year 2 and 3 of our programme."

On Thursday, Ulster confirmed that fly-half James Humphreys - son of former Ulster and Ireland 10 David - has been promoted to the senior squad on a one-year development contract.

Ulster Rugby Academy Squad 2024-25

Year 1:

Forwards: Bryn Ward (back row), James McKillop (back row)

Backs: Jack Murphy (fly-half), Clarke Logan (scrum-half), Sam Berman (centre), Jonny Scott (centre), Wilhelm De Klerk (centre)

Year 2:

Forwards: Cameron Doak (prop), Jack Boal (prop), Jacob Boyd (prop), Zac Solomon (hooker), Henry Walker (hooker), Charlie Irvine (lock), Josh Stevens (back row), Tom Brigg (back row)

Backs: Ethan Graham (wing/full-back), Ben McFarlane (wing/full-back), Lukas Kenny (wing)

Year 3:

Forwards: Joe Hope (lock)

Backs: Rory Telfer (full-back)

Matt Gault
BBC Sport NI Senior Journalist

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Ulster great David Humphreys says the club faces a period of "evolution" but insists there has been a "huge upturn in mood" since Richie Murphy's appointment as head coach.

Having initially replaced Dan McFarland on an interim basis, Murphy was handed a two-year deal in May and secured Ulster's place in the 2024-25 Investec Champions Cup.

"I think there's been a huge upturn, even in the result against Leinster, the way they played and the energy they brought," said IRFU high performance director Humphreys.

"Richie's got a real quality in terms of, not just his coaching ability, but his ability to get the best out of players, specifically you mentioned Ulster there. They're going to have to go through an evolution.

"Munster did it a few years ago and did it very well and look where they've got to now. That's part of what Richie's going in to do. He's very good and brining young players through."

Humphreys, who captained Ulster to the European Cup title in 1999 and spent time as the province's director of rugby, added: "I think you've heard some of the language that's come out of Hugh McCaughey, the new CEO, this is about getting some young players into the system, giving them opportunities and I've no doubt that at some stage, Ulster will return to competing with Munster and Leinster at the top of URC."

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Marty Moore, Eric O’Sullivan and Matty Rea have all extended their contracts with Ulster ahead of the upcoming season.

They join Ben Carson, Reuben Crothers, Conor McKee and David Shanahan who have also had their contracts renewed.

It comes as Ulster confirmed their 43-strong squad for the 2024-25 season including new arrivals fly-half Aidan Morgan and winger Werner Kok.

"I’m looking forward to getting stuck into a new season with a strong squad who are ambitious in their goals for the year ahead," head coach Richie Murphy said.

“We have a great crop of young guys coming through into the Senior set-up who will cut their teeth alongside the experienced leaders in the group."