A number of Ireland’s World Cup stars are set to return to United Rugby Championship (URC) action when Leinster and Munster name their squads today.
Co-captains James Ryan and Garry Ringrose are set to lead Leo Cullen’s men against the Scarlets at the RDS tomorrow night, with Josh van der Flier among the squad expected to return.
Munster, who yesterday confirmed the signing of qualified Irish coach Oli Jager from Super Rugby champions Crusaders, are likely to include Tadhg Beirne in their starting XV for their final rematch against an understrength Stormers, with Conor Murray and Peter O’Mahony to come probably. on the bench.
With a cross-county derby tomorrow week and the Champions Cup just three weeks away, most of Andy Farrell’s squad will see action by next weekend.
Jager’s capture, meanwhile, is a major coup for Munster manager Graham Rowntree. The former Ireland U-18, who went to school at Newbridge College and Blackrock College, returns as a realistic option for Ireland after a successful spell in New Zealand where he moved as a teenager and spent seven years with the Crusaders.
The length of Jagger’s contract speaks volumes for how highly Munster and Ireland rate him, with the IRFU penning a deal that will keep him in the province until 2027.
He is expected to arrive in the coming weeks and is likely to be part of Munster’s squad for their Champions Cup campaign, which begins at home to Bayonne on December 9.
Munster also confirmed the arrival of hooker Eoghan Clarke who was recently with the Jersey Reds and center Colm Hogan who played in New Zealand this year with Tasmin Mako.
Meanwhile, the Lions have confirmed a deal with the Premiership and URC which they believe will boost the club’s chances in Australia in 2027.