Munster and Leinster are out to do little more than save face in the Champions Cup this weekend. While there may be little to play for in terms of the competition this season, neither province are going to want to go out with a whimper as criticism, particularly of Munster begins to get ever louder.
On the other hand, Ulster's remarkable win over Oyonnax means that they are in with a good chance of making the knockout stages with the considerable task of a trip to Saracens facing Les Kiss' side on Saturday.
Leinster
Garry Ringrose returns to the centre for Leinster as they take on Bath on Saturday with a notable more youthful outfit than many would have expected. Prop Peter Dooley and lock Ross Molony have been handed European debuts while Ian Madigan gets a start at out-half.
Here is the full #LeinsterRugby 23-man squad for #LEINvBATH. pic.twitter.com/lDPc8bnBYE
— Leinster Rugby (@leinsterrugby) January 15, 2016
Munster
While Leinster have opted for youth, Anthony Foley knows he doesn't really have that kind of breathing space as questions over his future continue ahead of Saturday's trip to Paris to face Stade Francais. Simon Zebo is in at fullback with Andrew Conway out through injury. As a result, Ronan O’Mahony comes in on the wing.
Elsewehere, in the back row, Billy Holland comes in with Robin Copeland dropping to the bench.
MunXV #MunVSta Zebo; Earls, Saili, RScannell, RO’M; Keatley, Murray; Kilcoyne, Sherry, Sagario; Foley, Chisholm; BHolland, TO’D, Stande (c)
— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) January 15, 2016
Replacements #MunVSta O’Byrne, O’Connor, JRyan, DRyan, Copeland, JO’Donoghue, O’Leary, Amorosino.
— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) January 15, 2016
Ulster
That incredible win over Oyannax means that Ulster Champions Cup hopes are still alive as they face Saracens at 3.15 on Saturday. Less Kiss recalls his Jackson and Pienaar from the start while the big news is that Jared Payne is fit to start his first game since suffering a foot injury at the World Cup.
Payne comes in at fullback with Luke Marshall and Stuart McCloskey continuing their impressive partnership in the centre.
(15-9): J Payne, A Trimble, L Marshall, S McCloskey, C Gilroy; P Jackson, R Pienaar;
(1-8): K McCall, R Best (capt), W Herbst; A O'Connor, F van der Merwe; R Diack, S Reidy, R Wilson;
Replacements (16-23): R Herring, C Black, R Lutton, C Ross, S Reidy, P Marshall, I Humphreys, R Scholes.
