URC team news: New signings start in season openers

Connacht, Munster and Leinster have all named new signings to start in their respective BKT United Rugby Championship openers, while Ulster's big arrival Jeff Toomaga-Allen will feature off the bench for tomorrow's first game of the season.

Ulster and Connacht meet at Kingspan Stadium on Saturday in the first Interpro of the new campaign, and Ulster head coach Dan McFarland has resisted the urge to put any of his new arrivals in from the start.

Alan O'Connor captains the side from the second row in the absence of Iain Henderson and partners Sam Carter at lock.

Toomaga-Allen is the only new Ulster signing to be involved, and will supplement Marty Moore from the bench, with Moore joined by Eric O'Sullivan and Tom Stewart in the starting front row.

With Nick Timoney being held back due to IRFU player management regulations, the Rea brothers, Marcus and Matty start at flanker, either side of David McCann.

Injury rules John Cooney out of the opener, so Nathan Doak partners Billy Burns in the half-backs, with experienced duo Luke Marshall and Stuart McCloskey in the centre.

Jacob Stockdale (below) features in his first competitive game since Round 1 of the 2021/22 season, starting on the left wing, while Rob Baloucoune and Stewart Moore complete the team.

Connacht have included three of their new signings in their first XV, with Peter Dooley, Josh Murphy and Byron Ralston all included.

Dooley packs down with Dave Heffernan and Jack Aungier in the front row, while Gavin Thornbury captains the province for the first time at lock, joining Leva Fifita in the second row.

With Cian Prendergast unavailable, former Leinster man Murphy comes in at blindside flanker, with Conor Oliver and Paul Boyle completing the back row.

Conor Fitzgerald gets