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Ciaran Frawley will make his Connacht debut at out-half against Benetton in the URC on Friday. Cian Prendergast captains the side, with Matthew Victory handed his first start.
Ciaran Frawley will make his Connacht debut at out-half when the western province travel to take on Benetton Treviso in the URC on Friday, kick-off 7.45pm, live on TG4.
The former Leinster back is one of six players named in the Ireland summer tour to come straight into the matchday 23 after missing last week. Connacht confirmed the team news on social media on Thursday. Cian Prendergast captains the side from the flank. Player of the year Sean Jansen starts at number eight.
Lock Darragh Murray is named in the second row. Props Billy Bohan and Sam Illo, who is set to make his 50th Connacht appearance, are among the replacements. There are two further changes from the side that started last week's 15-29 loss against the Stormers. Hooker Matthew Victory is handed his first Connacht start.
Caolin Blade is named at scrum-half. Completing the pack are props Francois van Wyk and Finlay Bealham, lock Josh Murphy, and Sean O'Brien, who shifts to the openside flank. The rest of the backline is unchanged, with Mack Hansen and Finn Treacy on the wings, Cathal Forde and John Devine in the centre, and Sam Gilbert at full-back.
Connacht starting XV: Sam Gilbert, Finn Treacy, John Devine, Cathal Forde, Mack Hansen, Ciaran Frawley, Caolin Blade, Francois van Wyk, Matthew Victory, Finlay Bealham, Darragh Murray, Josh Murphy, Cian Prendergast (capt), Sean O'Brien, Sean Jansen. Replacements: Eoin de Buitlear, Billy Bohan, Sam Illo, Niall Murray, Paul Boyle, Colm Reilly, Josh Ioane, Shane Jennings. The game is Benetton's second consecutive home fixture of the season. Benetton posted their matchday 23 on social media ahead of the Round 2 clash.
Leo Cullen Makes Five Changes For Leinster
The match kicks off at 7.45pm Irish time on Friday, 2 October 2026. In other Irish provincial team news, Leinster head coach Leo Cullen has made five changes to the team for Saturday's game against the Sharks at Kings Park, kick-off 5.30pm. There is the rather novel selection of four backs on the bench, with Ciaran Mangan, a centre and wing, named in the number 20 jersey. Oliver Coffey, Sam Prendergast and Hugo McLaughlin are listed as the backline cover.
Robbie Henshaw is named at inside centre in the only change to the Leinster backline, replacing Charlie Tector. Andrew Porter switches back to loosehead from tighthead, Ronan Kelleher is selected at hooker and captains the team, while Thomas Clarkson completes the front row. Academy prospect Alan Spicer joins Conor O'Tighearnaigh in the second row, with Ryan Baird switching to the back row, where Josh van der Flier starts his first match of the season.
Leinster starting XV: Todd Lawlor, Tommy O'Brien, Hugh Cooney, Robbie Henshaw, Andrew Osborne, Caspar Gabriel, Fintan Gunne, Andrew Porter, Ronan Kelleher (capt), Thomas Clarkson, Conor O'Tighearnaigh, Alan Spicer, Ryan Baird, Josh van der Flier, Josh Ericson. Replacements: Gus McCarthy, Alex Usanov, Niall Smyth, Brian Deeney, Ciaran Mangan, Oliver Coffey, Sam Prendergast, Hugo McLaughlin. Ulster welcome back Ireland internationals Tom Stewart, Cormac Izuchukwu, Bryn Ward and Jacob Stockdale for their game against Glasgow on Saturday, kick-off 5.30pm.
Ulster Welcome Back Internationals For Glasgow Clash
Nathan Doak is among the replacements. Stockdale marks a special occasion, making his 150th appearance at full-back. In the back row, academy forward James McKillop gets the nod at blindside flanker, with David McCann starting on the openside. Scrum-half Matthew Devine starts for the first time after an eye-catching performance from the bench last week.
There is one change to the midfield, as versatile back Ethan McIlroy starts at outside centre. Head coach Murphy names a strong bench with a 6:2 split, boosted by the return of Nathan Doak and South African number eight Juarno Augustus. Ulster starting XV: Jacob Stockdale, Chay Mullins, Ethan McIlroy, Jamie Benson, Zac Ward, Jack Murphy, Matthew Devine, Eric O'Sullivan, Tom Stewart (capt), Keynan Knox, Cormac Izuchukwu, Eli Snyman, James McKillop, David McCann, Bryn Ward.
Clayton McMillan Makes Eleven Changes For Munster
Replacements: Henry Walker, Tom McAllister, Eduardo Bello, Ben Donnell, James McNabney, Nathan Doak, Jake Flannery, Juarno Augustus. Munster head coach Clayton McMillan makes 11 changes to the side beaten by Glasgow for their clash with the Bulls on Saturday, kick-off 7.45pm. New signing Jack Aungier is named at tighthead on his Munster debut, with first-year academy player Charlie O'Shea and Marnus van der Merwe making their first starts.
Returning internationals Craig Casey and Jeremy Loughman are also included, with Casey captaining the side and Loughman among the replacements. Aungier, Shane Daly and Tom Ahern are all named in the starting XV after missing out last week due to injury, with Shay McCarthy, Dan Kelly, Sean Edogbo, John Hodnett and Brian Gleeson also coming into the side.
Munster starting XV: Shane Daly, Diarmuid Kilgallen, Sean O'Brien, Dan Kelly, Shay McCarthy, Charlie O'Shea, Craig Casey (capt), Michael Milne, Marnus van der Merwe, Jack Aungier, Tom Ahern, Fineen Wycherley, Sean Edogbo, John Hodnett, Brian Gleeson. In other news, Aoife Wafer misses out on the second Japan Test in Cork. Leinster will play their home Champions Cup pool games at the Laya Arena.
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IrishTimes:This story was compiled and edited by the HeadTopics newsroom and HT AI from the reports above.
Connacht Rugby URC Ciaran Frawley Benetton Treviso Rugby Union Benetton Rugby Irish Provincial Team News
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