URC team news: Ireland stars return for Connacht, Munster and Ulster

Connacht, Munster and Ulster welcome back a host of Ireland internationals for round two of the BKT United Rugby Championship.

Mack Hansen, Peter O'Mahony and Kieran Treadwell all come into the starting line-ups for their respective provinces, who all face tricky away games this weekend.

Ulster, who began their season with a bonus-point win over Connacht, visit the Scarlets on Saturday and they have handed a first start to wing Aaron Sexton.

The 22-year-old comes in for Robert Baloucoune and is joined in the back three by Mike Lowry, who starts at full-back.

Ulster have made seven changes to the team that started against Connacht as Ireland trio Rob Herring, Kieran Treadwell and Nick Timoney come into the pack, with Treadwell partnering captain Alan O’Connor in the second row.

John Cooney replaces Nathan Doak at scrum-half while Andrew Warwick is named at loosehead prop.

Sean Reffell, a summer signing from Saracens, will make his Ulster debut if introduced from the bench.

Ulster: Mike Lowry; Aaron Sexton, Luke Marshall, Stuart McCloskey, Jacob Stockdale; Billy Burns, John Cooney; Andrew Warwick, Rob Herring, Marty Moore; Alan O’Connor (capt), Kieran Treadwell; Matty Rea, Marcus Rea, Nick Timoney.

Replacements: Declan Moore, Eric O’Sullivan, Tom O’Toole, Sam Carter, Sean Reffell, Dave Shanahan, Angus Curtis, Craig Gilroy.

Connacht have made nine changes to their starting line-up for Saturday’s game against reigning URC champions DHL Stormers in Stellenbosch, live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player from 1pm (kick-off 1.30pm).

All five players who toured New Zealand with Ireland are named in the match-day squad as Connacht bid to bounce back from their opening-round loss to Ulster.

Finlay Bealham, Cian Prendergast and Mack Hansen come into the