URC: Irish shield - who's in and out?

SPOTLIGHT: @rugby365com reporter Angus Opperman take a look at which players moved on and which ones joined the respective Irish teams.

Leinster: (2023/4 season standing: third, finish: losing semifinalist)

Leinster have not won the URC since 2021 when it was still the Pro 14 following South Africa’s inclusion into the competition.

Despite being the front runner in the revamped competition apart from the 2023/4 season – with rivals Munster cementing the top spot , Leinster had been knocked out of the semifinals by the Bulls and Munster at home in 2022 and 2023 respectively before suffering a semifinal knockout to the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld.

They also failed to win the Champions Cup in that same period and will be desperate for silverware in the 2024/5 season.

Below are the players who departed the Irish powerhouse and those who joined and what we can expect from them to take Leinster to championship glory again.

Players out: Micheal Alaalatoa (Clermont), Jason Jenkins (Sharks), Ross Maloney (Bath), Ed Byrne (Cardiff), Temi Lasisi, Ben Murphy (both Connacht), Rhys Ruddock (Retired), Martin Moloney (Exeter Chiefs).

Players in:

RG Snyman: Snyman joined Leinster from Munster where he had URC success, beating the then defending champion Stormers in Cape Town.

He’s had an injury cloud hanging over him in Cork and unfortunately the same issue creeps up with his Leinster debut being delayed as he’s ruled out for the rest of the year.

When fit, however, the the double world champion will add immense value to the side, especially with Director of Rugby Jacques Nienaber being involved as well.

Jordie Barrett: Barrett joined Leinster on a short term deal until April 2025 (Sabbatical).

The All Black is expected to add great attacking as well as goal-kicking value to the side.

His ability to play at inside centre, wing and fullback makes him one of the biggest signings if not the biggest for the province as be brings a heap of Test experience as well.

Rabah Slimani: The versatile prop joins Leinster from Clermont and will boost their front-row stocks with the departure of former captain Micheal Alaalatoa who has moved on.

He also brings Test experience having represented France between 2013 and 2019 on 57 occasions.

Other players who are part of Leinster’s revamped squad promoted from the academy are Jack Boyle, Paddy McCarthy and James Culhane, who also represented Ireland at U20 level in 2022.

Munster:(2023/4 season standing: first, finish: losing semifinalist)

The 2023/4 champions topped the standings but shockingly lost the semifinal to eventual champions Glasgow Warriors.

Munster stand in good stead for another solid season and will be hoping to go all the way this time around.

Players out: Joey Carbery (Bordeaux), RG Snyman (Leinster), Simon Zebo (Retired), Antoine Frisch (Toulon), Daniel Okeke (Coventry), Jack O’Sullivan (Red Hurricanez Osaka), Neil Cronin (Released).

Players in:

Thaakir Abrahams: Abrahams, who was a schoolboy sensation joined the Sharks in 2020 and then took up a stint at Lyon before signing with Munster for the 2024/5 season.

On a personal level, it would put him back on the national selectors’ radar playing against fellow South African teams.

Abrahams will also bring a great attacking edge and speed to Munsters’ game with his Illusive game breaking ability and had played one match for Munster already during a pre-season warm-up.

Diarmuid Kilgallen: The young outside back joins Munster from fellow Irish outfits Connacht where he donned the green jersey on 23 occasions.

He’s also a U20 Ireland international who will help fill the boots of the retired veteran Simon Zebo along with Abrahams.

Billy Burns: The former England age group star made seven appearances for Ireland and brings a heap of experience, especially considering the departure of Joey Carbery.

His ability to play at flyhalf and fullback gives Munster great versatility and experience, having represented Gloucester on 101 occasions between 2012 and 2018 and Ulster on 114 occasions between 2018 and 2024.

Tom Farrell: Farrell joins Munster from Connacht who he represented on 112 occasions.

The centre is also a former Ireland U20 international in 2013 coming from the Leinster academy.

He will be a handy replacement for Antoine Frisch who has moved on to Toulon.

Edwin Edogbo: The young lock has 15 Munster caps under his belt and was part of the 2022 URC winning squad.

Tony Butler: The former 2022 Ireland U20 flyhalf has made 10 appearances for Munster already and will boost their playmaking stocks alongside Billy Burns to ease the loss of Joey Carbery.

Ethan Coughlan: Another Ireland international at junior level – the scrumhalf has donned the red of Munster on 12 occasions since 2021 and will hope to add more to his tally.

Mark Donnelly: The young prop also represented Munster on 12 occasions since 2021 and also represented Ireland U20 in 2020 and 2021.

Other players are Bryan Fitzgerald (Garryowen) and Brain Gleeson (promoted from Munster academy).

Ulster: (2023/4 season standing: sixth, season finish: losing quarterfinalist)

A challenging season for the Kingspan side following the departure of their head coach Dan McFarland midway through the season having been replaced by Ireland U20 coach Richie Murphy.

There has also been well documented financial issues in the franchise that could have contributed to their lack of success during the season.

Players out: Billy Burns (Munster), Angus Curtis (Retired), Steven Kitshoff (Stormers), Luke Marshall (Retired), Shea O’Brien (Released), Greg Jones (Released), Will Addison (Sale Sharks), James French (Cornish Pirates), Dave Ewers (Stormers).

Players in:

Werner Kok: The former Blitzbok joins Ulster from the Sharks who he joined in 2020 from a brief stint with Toulouse in 2019.

Kok also won Commonwealth gold with the Blitzboks in 2014 and the Currie Cup with Western Province in 2017 and is a great attacking threat who’s hard to bring down with his grit, determination speed and size.

Micheal McDonald: The former Australia and Emerging Ireland international at junior level rejoins the side from a long season loan with Connacht who he represented on eight occasions during the 2023/4 URC season.

Aiden Morgan: A former New Zealand U20 player, Morgan represented the Hurricanes between 2022 and 2024 on 23 occasions.

He provides versatility at flyhalf and fullback and will look to revive his career in Ireland following the rise of Ruben Love at the Hurricanes who’s also now in the All Blacks squad for the 2024 Rugby Championship.

Zac Ward: More known on the HSBC SVNS circuit, Ward joins Ulster on a trail run.

He’s also the son of New Zealand born Ireland international Andy Ward who has won the Champions Cup with Ulster in the 1998/99 season.

Other players who joins from the Ulster academy are: Lorcan McLoughlin, James McNabney, Scott Wilson and James Humphreys.

Connacht: (2023/4 season standing: 11th)

A disappointing season for the side following the 2022/3 season where they caused an upset against Ulster away from home to book a semfinal against the Stormers who they pushed to the end – ultimately losing the match to the eventual finalists.

They suffered some rare defeats at the iconic Sportsground Stadium to Leinster, the Lions and the Stormers and will hope for an impoved season in 2024/5 after missing out on the play-offs.

Players out: Dairmuid Kilgallen (Munster), Tieran O’Halloran (Retired), Jarrad Butler, Gavin Thornbury, Matthew Burke, Oran McNulty, Tadgh McElroy (all released), Tom Farrell (Munster), Dominic Robertson-McCoy (Aurillac), Tom Daly (Stade Nicois), Oisin Michel (Cornish Pirates).

Players in:

Piers O’Conor: The 29-year-old has been around the block – having had stints with Wasps, Bedford, Ealing Trailfinders and more recently Bristol Bears who he joins Connacht from, having represented the English side on 137 occasions.

He also played one international for the England CV side and will bring a great attacking edge to Connacht this season following the departure of Diarmuid Kilgallen to Munster.

Adam McBurney: The Hooker represented Ulster between 2017 and 2021 on 42 occasions.

He also had a stint with Edinburgh whom he represented on 24 occasions and a brief loan stint with Gloucester and represented Ireland U20 on 17 occasions in 2015 and 2016.

David O’Connor: O’Connor previously represented Ulster between 2019 and 2022 on 15 occasions before a stint with Ealing Trailfinders in England who he joins Connacht from.

His ability to play lock and loose forward makes him a valuable addition to the Irish outfit to boost their pack.

He is also the brother of Ulster lock Alan O’, Connor who won the URC Tackle Machine award for the 2021/22 season.

Temi Lasisi: The prop has a solitary cap for Leinster during his stint between 2021 and 2024.

The former No.8 will want to revive his career and get more game time with Connacht in the upcoming season.

Ben Murphy: The former Ireland U20 scrumhalf earned nine caps for Leinster between 2021 and 2024 before joining Connacht for the 2024/5 season.

He’s also the son of Ireland U20 coach Richie Murphy and had a loan brief stint with Munster as well.

Josh Murphy: The former Leinster loose forward represented the powerhouse between 2017 and 2022 on 61 occasions before joining Connacht in 2022.

He is returning to the side from a sabbatical.

Chay Mullins: Another Ireland Sevens international, Mullins is a former Bristol academy player.

He also formed part of the Ireland 2022 Six Nations U20 side that won the grand slam and had sevens World Cup success winning Bronze at the 2022 Sevens World Cup in Cape Town.

Josh Ioane: The one-Test All Black joins Connacht from the Chiefs in New Zealand who he made 29 appearances for.

He also represented the Highlanders on 43 occasions and poses a great attacking ability and versatility being able to slot in at flyhalf and fullback.

Other players who are promoted from the Connacht academy are Matthew Devine and Hugh Gavin.

@Angyboyj