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Keith Earls and Charles Piutau return as both Munster and Ulster ring in the changes

Published 13:47 30 Dec 2017 GMT

Updated 14:06 30 Dec 2017 GMT

Jack O'Toole
Keith Earls and Charles Piutau return as both Munster and Ulster ring in the changes

Homerugby

Two teams. Two losses. 22 combined changes.

Both Munster and Ulster have rung in the changes after their respective interprovincial defeats to Leinster and Connacht last weekend, with internationals Keith Earls and Charles Piutau both set to return. Earls will make his return to outside centre where he will partner Sam Arnold in the midfield, while Ireland U20 winger Calvin Nash will join Alex Wootton and Simon Zebo in the back three. Duncan Williams will partner JJ Hanrahan in the halves, while up front, James Cronin, Niall Scannell and John Ryan will start together in the front row for the first time this season. Billy Holland will captain the side from the second-row alongside Darren O'Shea, while Chris Cloete, Tommy O'Donnell and Jack O’Donoghue will fill out the remainder of the pack. https://twitter.com/Munsterrugby/status/947098407960743937 Meanwhile for Ulster, hooker Rob Herring has recovered from concussion and will captain the side with props Rodney Ah You (wrist) and Kyle McCall (shoulder) returning from two-month injury lay-offs to join him in the front-row. Alan O'Connor and Kieran Treadwell reunite in the second-row after  back-to-back Champions Cup wins over Harlequins, while in the backrow, Nick Timoney moves to openside to accommodate the return of Jean Deysel at number eight, with Ireland U20 international Greg Jones filling in at blindside. Christian Lealiifano will join John Cooney in the halves once again, with Stuart McCloskey partnering Louis Ludik in the centres and Rob Lyttle coming in for his first start of the season after being named on the left wing alongside Craig Gilroy and Charles Piutau in the back three. https://twitter.com/UlsterRugby/status/947075080399486976 https://twitter.com/leinsterrugby/status/947074795258048512 https://twitter.com/connachtrugby/status/947076227189346304

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Keith Earls and Charles Piutau return as both Munster and Ulster ring in the changes