Darragh Murray has been listed to start for Connacht in the province's opening Investec Champions Cup game on Saturday. Photo: Bernie O'Farrell.

Connacht and Leinster name teams for European openers

Ronan Fagan

Published: Fri 16 Oct 2026, 3:42 PM

Last updated: Fri 16 Oct 2026, 7:46 PM

Local players will feature for Connacht and Leinster in their opening Investec Champions Cup fixtures on Saturday (October 17).

Leinster, for whom Athlone's Robbie Henshaw, will feature in his customery centre position, travel to the Stade Marcel-Michelin to play ASM Clermont Auvergne at 3.15pm (Irish time).

Henshaw will earn his 125th cap for the province as Leinster commence their quest to win the Champions Cup for the first time since 2018.

Meanwhile, five former Buccaneers RFC players have been listed to staft for Connacht in their opening Investec Champions Cup game against Saracens at the Dexcom Stadium on Saturday at 5.30pm.

Brideswell's Darragh Murray starts in the second row, while Colm Reilly has been named to start in the scrum-half position.

Sam Illo fills the tighthead prop role, Shane Jennings is on the left wing and Matthew Victory has been named as hooker as the province aim to start their campaign with a home win against the English Premiership team.

Murray's brother Niall, who has been listed as a replacement for Connacht, will hope to earn his 99th cap for the province during the encounter.

Connacht team (v Saracens)

15. Sam Gilbert (22)

14. Finn Treacy (21)

13. Cathal Forde (74)

12. Bundee Aki (167)

11. Shane Jennings (38)

10. Ciarán Frawley (2)

9. Colm Reilly (37)

1. Francois van Wyk (3)

2. Matthew Victory (11)

3. Sam Illo (51)

4. Darragh Murray (61)

5. Josh Murphy (65)

6. Cian Prendergast (107) (C)

7. Shamus Hurley-Langton (69)

8. Sean Jansen (48)

Replacements: 16. Eoin de Buitléar (26); 17. Billy Bohan (17); 18. Thomas Connolly; 19. Niall Murray (98); 20. Sean O’Brien (32); 21. Caolin Blade (219); 22. Josh Ioane (35); 23. Daniel Ryan (1).

Leinster team (v ASM Clermont Auvergne)

15. Hugo Keenan (87)

14. Tommy O’Brien (64)

13. Garry Ringrose (152)

12. Robbie Henshaw (124)

11. Jimmy O’Brien (121)

10. Sam Prendergast (54)

9. Fintan Gunne (36)

1. Andrew Porter (152)

2. Dan Sheehan (90), captain

3. Tadhg Furlong (168)

4. Joe McCarthy (67)

5. James Ryan (113)

6. Ryan Baird (92)

7. Josh van der Flier (177)

8. Jack Conan (181)

Replacements: 16. Rónan Kelleher (97); 17. Alex Usanov (13); 18. Thomas Clarkson (82); 19. Conor O’Tighearnaigh (13); 20. Scott Penny (108); 21. Oliver Coffey (5); 22. Joey Carbery (37); 23. Jamie Osborne (78).