Ulster v Munster - Teams and prediction

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FRIDAY PREVIEW: The United Rugby Championship is back and the results so far have already made it very clear - EVERY GAME COUNTS.

Just one team remains unbeaten in the championship so far this season, with Leinster 7 from 7.

Only five points separate 4th and 11th in the table, once again showcasing the competition in the URC.

This week Ulster v Munster gets the weekend underway in an interpro derby at the Kingspan Stadium in Belfast on Friday.

It is set to be an enticing clash as both teams are desperate for the win.

Ulster have lost their last two URC matches since beating Ospreys 36-12 at Kingspan Stadium in Round Five.

Ulster have won just one of their last four encounters with fellow Irish provinces, beating Connacht 32-27 at Kingspan Stadium in October.

Munster have not beaten an Irish province away from home since their 16-15 win over Leinster in Dublin in the 2023 semifinal.

The last six matches between the two rivals have been evenly split with three wins apiece whilst Munster have won on two of their last four visits to Belfast.

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It has been a difficult period for Munster, who face Ulster followed by a tough encounter against Leinster.

"These are all massive games," said Shane Daly, who returns to the starting line-up following last weekend's Champions Cup defeat.

"The fixtures you really want to win more than any others are those Interprovincial rivalries, they are hugely competitive for us."

Reflecting on last weekend's defeat to Castres in the Champions Cup, Munster's attack coach Mossy Lawler said: "It was a little bit of a setback but we are proud of our performance against the Lions and Stade Francais.

"They are two really physical sides and are happy with what we produced on the pitch in terms of line breaks and tries scored.

"Training has been really positive this week so we are excited about Friday and looking to put our best foot forward."

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Daly and Paddy Patterson both come into the backline with John Ryan, Tom Ahern, captain Jack O'Donoghue and Gavin Coombes starting in the pack.

Mike Haley, Calvin Nash and Daly start together in the back three with Alex Nankivell and Tom Farrell continuing their centre partnership.

Patterson and Jack Crowley start together in the halfbacks.

John Ryan starts at loosehead prop with Niall Scannell and Stephen Archer completing the front row.

Ahern and Fineen Wycherley start together in the engine room with O'Donoghue, John Hodnett and Coombes completing the side.

Eoghan Clarke, Dave Kilcoyne and Oli Jager provide the front-row back-up.

Academy lock Evan O'Connell, Alex Kendellen and Brian Gleeson complete the forward cover.

Ethan Coughlan and Rory Scannell are the backline replacements.

On the injury front, Peter O'Mahony (calf) and Diarmuid Barron (shoulder) were unavailable due to the knocks they picked up in Castres.

In line with IRFU player management guidelines, Tadhg Beirne was unavailable for selection.

For Ulster, John Cooney makes his return from a hamstring injury to start and Academy fly-half, Jack Murphy, could make his senior debut from the replacements bench.

There is one change to the front row from last weekend's Investec Champions Cup game against Union Bordeaux Bègles, with Andrew Warwick coming in at loosehead prop to join hooker, Rob Herring, and tighthead prop, Tom O'Toole.

In the second row, captain, Alan O'Connor partners Kieran Treadwell.

The back row sees two changes, as flanks James McNabney (blindside) and Marcus Rea (openside) are brought in, with David McCann retained at No.8.

Cooney makes his return at scrumhalf, joining flyhalf, Aidan Morgan, in the halfback partnership.

The backfield remains unchanged from last weekend.

Stuart McCloskey and Jude Postlethwaite continue in the midfield at inside and outside centre, respectively.

After making his debut last week, Zac Ward, makes his first  URC outing this weekend, starting on the left wing.

Werner Kok, who celebrated his first try at Kingspan Stadium against Bordeaux, starts on the right wing.

Michael Lowry completes the back three at fullback.

Murphy is in line for his senior debut from the bench, while Academy back, Rory Telfer, is also set for his maiden URC appearance following his senior debut last week.

Dave Shanahan provides the other backline option, with John Andrew, Eric O'Sullivan, Scott Wilson, Harry Sheridan and Matty Rea named as the forward reinforcements.

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Prediction: 

@rugby365com:  Ulster by five points

Teams:

Ulster: 15 Mike Lowry, 14 Werner Kok, 13 Jude Postlethwaite, 12 Stuart McCloskey, 11 Zac Ward, 10 Aidan Morgan, 9 John Cooney, 8 Dave McCann, 7 Marcus Rea, 6 James McNabney, 5 Kieran Treadwell, 4 Alan O'Connor, 3 Tom O'Toole, 2 Rob Herring, 1 Andrew Warwick.
Replacements: 16 John Andrew, 17 Eric O'Sullivan, 18 Scott Wilson, 19 Harry Sheridan, 20 Matty Rea, 21 Dave Shanahan, 22 Jack Murphy, 23 Rory Telfer.

Munster: 15 Mike Haley, 14 Calvin Nash, 13 Tom Farrell, 12 Alex Nankivell, 11 Shane Daly, 10 Jack Crowley, 9 Paddy Patterson, 8 Gavin Coombes, 7 John Hodnett, 6 Jack O'Donoghue (captain), 5 Fineen Wycherley, 4 Tom Ahern, 3 Stephen Archer, 2 Niall Scannell, 1 John Ryan.
Replacements: 16 Eoghan Clarke, 17 Dave Kilcoyne, 18 Oli Jager, 19 Evan O'Connell, 20 Alex Kendellen, 21 Ethan Coughlan, 22 Rory Scannell, 23 Brian Gleeson.

Date: Friday, December 20
Venue: Ravenhill Stadium, Belfast
Kick-off: 19.35 (19.35 GMT)
Referee: Ben Whitehouse (Wales)
Assistant referees: Andrew Cole (Ireland), Sam Holt (Ireland)
TMO: Aled Griffiths (Wales)

Sources: Munster Rugby & Ulster Rugby