From academy prospects to seasoned veterans, the new URC season marks a fresh start across the league.
The four provinces kick their seasons off this weekend; Leinster start the new campaign away in Cape Town against the Stormers, Ulster host the Dragons in Belfast, Munster are in Llanelli to face Scarlets and Connacht welcome Benetton to Galway.
The RTÉ Rugby podcast had its big season preview this week, as we broke down the key talking points for each of the Irish sides.
Bernard Jackman and Johne Murphy were also tasked with picking out a player to watch over the coming season from each province.
They were given a wide breadth for their selections. It could be a young academy prodigy ready to shake up the status quo, or a forgotten veteran who has the opportunity to reignite a career.
Here are the selections. Bookmark them for a few months down the line...
LEINSTER
Alex Soroka (back row)
Bernard Jackman: I think he's primed for a big season. I know it’s an incredibly competitive area, and he’ll have to fight tooth and nail to get gametime, but I think there’s something about him
He brings an edge, he wins a lot of collisions, he’s a big, rangy lineout option. I think he could have a massive season for Leinster.
The likes of Max Deegan, who got a lot of gametime and is very talented and had a very good season, he’ll be looking over his shoulder at someone like Soroka (below).
Diarmuid Mangan (second / back row)
Johne Murphy: I know he's one of my own but I’m going to go for him. He’s coming out of the academy, signed a two-year deal.
He was involved with Ireland for a week, he finished the season strong with his opportunities, going down to South Africa.
His mindset and how he will go about his business, I think he’ll have a really big year.
In Lions years, there are two or three players all the time that really take the time that they’re given with people away, and I think Magnan is going to be one of those.
MUNSTER
Lee Barron (hooker)
Bernard Jackman: Gus McCarthy did brilliantly last year, a super rugby player, but I think Barron could be even better.
Barron (below) moving down there, if he can become first choice for Munster, which I think he can, he has that size and scope to be a real Dan Sheehan-type player. He's a footballer, he has pace, and the difference it can make playing three weeks out of four, rather than one in six or seven which can often be the case for some of those players in Leinster, I think it can be massive.
I expect him to have a big season, and he could push past Gus in the international reckoning. If he becomes first choice for Munster, I think Farrell would find it hard to leave him out, because his capacity and ceiling is very high.
Evan O'Connell (second row)
Johne Murphy: Munster was built on leadership-style second rows, from Gaillimh [Mick Galwey] up, I think he's someone who has that quality at a young age, and he has just signed a two-year deal.
We’re going to see a lot more of him as he extends and grows within that leadership space. But I think he could be a bolter, for me.
ULSTER
Jack Murphy (out-half)
Bernard Jackman: He's still a very young player, very inexperienced at the highest level.
I think Richie managed him really well, bringing him in and giving him gametime, but I would be shocked if he’s not ready to really pull the strings.
He’s very skilful, I saw him a lot at schools' level, and at Irish U20s. His passing range, his kicking range, obviously he has to get a little bit bigger but that will come with time.
I think he made a big impression last year, maybe under the radar because Ulster weren’t flying, but I would expect him to be a key part of this Ulster revolution.
Jacob Stockdale (wing, above)
Johne Murphy: He’s only 29 and you can forget how young he was when he burst on the scene.
I do think he has an opportunity now with a long pre-season to get going and get back in the Ireland reckoning. I think he’s going to be a massive part of what Ulster need to do, and with how Mark Sexton plays, he'll be getting ball in space.
I think he’s someone who could get back in international contention.
CONNACHT
Shayne Bolton (wing)
Johne Murphy: Coming off being capped this year with Ireland, he'll have a lot of confidence. He’s a big, powerful runner, and is someone that under Stuart will just grow and grow with confidence.
It’s really good timing for someone in his career path to have someone like Stuart [Lancaster] come in and work with. He’s someone we’re going to be hearing a lot about this year.
Jack Carty (out-half)
Bernard Jackman: I'm going for another 10, but not a young 10; Jack Carty (above).
I actually think that the coaches lost a bit of confidence in him, and he seemed to lose confidence in himself.
He’s given a huge amount to this Connacht team and I would love to see a rejuvenation in his form.
You watch any of the Leinster teams that Stuart coached, it was always very easy for the 10 because of how well organised people were inside and outside and I would expect that to be the case.
Josh Ioane is a brilliant running 10, but I think we saw last year he struggled with the game management and the kicking game, and I don't think Connacht are going to be all-out attack, I think they’re going to be very balanced in how they play and I think Carty could have a big season.
He has a chance to rejuvenate his career, finish his career in Connacht, back where he has been number one for most of his career.
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