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Rugby

05th Jan 2018

Team News: Jack McGrath captains, Rory Best and Chris Farrell return and Peter O’Mahony benched

Jack O'Toole

The last round of interprovincial derbies will take place this weekend with Connacht travelling to Thomond Park to face Munster while Leinster welcome Ulster to the RDS.

Ireland captain Rory Best has recovered from an ankle skin infection to captain an Ulster side that welcomes back Iain Henderson and Jacob Stockdale to the starting line-up as Les Kiss’ side look to build momentum from their come from behind win over Munster on New Year’s Day.

Meanwhile for Leinster Jack McGrath will captain the province for the first time in his career with Jordan Larmour replacing Rob Kearney at full-back while Johnny Sexton moves to the bench in place of Ross Byrne.

Similarly at Munster, Peter O’Mahony will start from the bench while CJ Stander will return to a backrow featuring Jack O’Donoghue who moves to blindside flanker while Conor Oliver will start from the openside.

Conor Murray will also return at scrum-half for Johan van Graan’s side and partner Ian Keatley in the halves, while Chris Farrell will return from a knee injury to join Rory Scannell in the centres as Sam Arnold serves the first game of his three week ban for a high tackle on Ulster’s Christian Leali’ifano earlier this week.

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