Academy Graduates Make Their Heineken Debut

Munster Rugby Academy graduates, Danny Barnes, Conor Murray and Peter O’Mahony, will make their Heineken Cup starts against Northampton Saints in Thomond Park Stadium tomorrow evening.

And continuing the successful development of young players, 23 year old Cork Constitution prop John Ryan, who featured in their Ulster Bank League game last weekend against Clontarf, comes onto the bench in place of the injured Marcus Horan who failed a late fitness test having picked up an ankle injury in training this week.

The side shows five changes from the one that started against Leinster, two in the backline and three up front. Denis Hurley comes onto the wing in place of the injured Keith Earls (knee) while Barnes, a 2nd minute replacement for Earls against Leinster, retains the number 13 jersey ahead of Will Chambers who is named on the bench.

It's in the pack that the big calls have been made with Donncha O'Callaghan and Denis Leamy both relegated to the bench in favour of O'Mahony and James Coughlan, O'Callaghan giving way to Donnacha Ryan who moves up from the blindside flank he occupied against Leinster to partner Paul O'Connell in the second row.

Munster: J Murphy; D Howlett, D Barnes, L Mafi, D Hurley; R O'Gara, C Murray; W du Preez, D Varley, BJ Botha; D Ryan, P O'Connell capt; P O'Mahony, N Ronan, J Coughlan. Replacements: D Fogarty, J Ryan, J Hayes, D O'Callaghan, D Leamy, T O'Leary, I Keatley, W Chambers.