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7th August 2018
07:37pm BST
IN: Joe Tomane
OUT:
Bench: James Tracy, Jack McGrath, Andrew Porter, Devin Toner, Josh van der Flier, Jamison Gibson-Park, Ross Byrne, Fergus McFadden.
What's changed: The addition of Joe Tomane shouldn't change the starting XV with the Australian most likely to be used in a role off the bench and as cover during the international breaks when the province are routinely raided by the Irish national team.
The team should stay the same for the most part but the pending return of Ireland flankers Sean O'Brien, Josh van der Flier and Rhys Ruddock should complicate matters in both the backrow and second-row.
Leinster can go with any number of options in the backrow but assuming newly appointed vice-captain Rhys Ruddock starts, and is not vice-captain from the bench or further beyond, it should see Scott Fardy move to the second-row while Dan Leavy and Sean O'Brien should accompany him at openside and number eight respectively.
Munster
IN:
Bench: Rhys Marshall, James Cronin, Stephen Archer, Billy Holland, Jack O'Donoghue, Duncan Williams, Tyler Bleyendaal, Mike Haley
What's changed: Ireland internationals Tadhg Beirne and Joey Carbery are the headline arrivals and should walk straight into the stating side while Chris Farrell should return at outside centre after suffering from a knee injury at the end of last season.
The loss of Simon Zebo to Racing is big and gives Johann van Graan a number of options at the back three with Andrew Conway adept at both full-back and wing.
Munster said at the end of last season that injured fly-half Tyler Bleyendaal should make a full recovery this season and he could move to inside centre when fit, but for the moment, given the uncertainty over his injury, we'll keep Rory Scannell at second receiver.
Ulster
IN:
Bench: Rob Herring, Kyle McCall, Tom O'Toole, Kieran Treadwell, Sean Reidy, David Shanahan, Billy Burns, Rob Lyttle
What's changed: Ulster have had somewhat of a firesale over the off-season with Tommy Bowe, Andrew Trimble, Paul Marshall and Jared Payne all retiring, Paddy Jackson, Stuart Olding and Charles Piutau all leaving and Robbie Diack being released.
They have brought in Henry Speight on a short term contract which should alleviate some of their backline stresses with Louis Ludik ruled out until at least November, while in the forwards the additions of Ireland internationals Marty Moore and Jordi Murphy, and the pending return of Marcell Coetzee, should beef up a much improved forward pack.
Connacht
IN:
Bench: Shane Delahunt, Peter McCabe, Conor Carey, Gavin Thornbury, Eoin McKeon, Caolin Blade, Jack Carty, Cian Kelleher.
What's Changed: Connacht may have lost long-time captain John Muldoon to retirement but they've added some strength to their backrow with the additions of Colby Fainga'a from the Rebels and Robin Copeland from Munster.
Jarrad Butler was their player's player of the year last season and should retain his spot in the team, potentially at blindside, while the rest of the forward pack should remain unchanged.
Meanwhile in the backline Kyle Godwin and David Horwitz could push Jack Carty onto the bench while the rest of the backline should stay the same, although, new signing Sevu Reece could be one to watch out for.
