URC live - Ulster vs Munster Jack Crowley starts at 10 for Munster as they look to bounce back from a St Stephen's Day defeat to Leinster in the first Irish rugby action of 2023. via IrishTimesSport
Happy New Year all and welcome to the first interpro of 2023! Nathan Johns here guiding you through all the action up in Belfast as it happens.
Munster have received plenty of praise for their improved performances of late, but they still sit in 11th after last week’s defeat to Leinster, some 11 points of the playoff spots. Ulster stemmed their dire losing run last time out with a nervy win over Connacht but could still do with a big performance here to show they are well and truly over that blip.
Let’s have a look at the two teams, starting with Ulster. That backline, as is so often the case with the northern province, is something to behold. Robert Baloucoune plays for the first time since Ireland duty in November, while James Hume, Jacob Stockdale and Billy Burns all give the backs some further international clout after missing the Connacht clash.
Kieran Treadwell comes into the secondrow in the pack while Duane Vermeulen, Sean Reffell and Greg Jones form a new-look backrow. Tonight is just Refell’s second competitive appearance for Ulster and his first start.
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
‘Britain is treating the Belfast Agreement like a New Year’s Day gym membership’Peter Flanagan: Britain treats the Belfast Agreement with a contempt usually reserved for a gym membership signed on New Year’s Day
Read more »
Derry vs Clare LIVE: Score updates, TV channel info, live stream and moreRory Gallagher's Ulster champions face the Banner in the first of this weekend's quarter-final clashes
Read more »
Dan McFarland: We didn’t deserve to win that game.Ulster head coach bemoans profligacy with the ball after last-gasp URC semi-final defeat
Read more »
All-Ireland MFC round-up: Kerry and Derry book semi-final slots in PortloaiseMunster and Ulster champions Cork and Tyrone both exit championship at quarter-final stage
Read more »