Pre-Season Team News | Munster Side To Face La Rochelle

27th August 2026 By The Editor

Academy lock Conor Kennelly, a Highfield RFC clubman, is in line for his first senior appearance. Inpho

Munster Head Coach Clayton McMillan has named a 33-man squad for the province’s pre-season opener against La Rochelle on Friday (6.30pm Irish time).

Two teams have been named – one for each half – to provide game-time to as many players as possible. Read our squad update ahead of the match here.

It will be Munster’s first run-out with the URC season getting underway in four weeks at Thomond Park as Glasgow Warriors visit Limerick on Saturday, September 28 (5.30pm). Buy tickets here

Munster’s only home pre-season game against Leicester Tigers at Virgin Media Park is three weeks away with a 7.15pm start on Friday, September 18. Buy tickets here

The game will be La Rochelle’s final outing before their Top14 campaign kicks off next week having defeated Bordeaux Begles 40-38 last week.

Academy players Gordon Wood, Conor Kennelly, Tom Wood, Danny Sheahan and Emmet Calvey are all included along with new signings Kieran Brookes and Jack Aungier.

Highfield lock Kennelly (20) and Shannon prop Calvey (21), both former Ireland U20 internationals, are in line for their first senior appearances for the province.

Young Munster clubman and former Ireland 7s international Hubert Gilvarry is also included having trained with the squad over pre-season and will make his first Munster appearance.

Ben O’Connor, Ben O’Donovan and Seán Edogbo are all named after graduating from the Academy to the senior squad ahead of the new season.

First Half Team

Munster Rugby: Ben O’Connor; Diarmuid Kilgallen, Gordon Wood, Alex Nankivell, Shay McCarthy; JJ Hanrahan, Ben O’Donovan; Michael Milne, Lee Barron, Michael Ala’alatoa/Kieran Brookes; Conor Kennelly, Fineen Wycherley; Seán Edogbo, John Hodnett, Gavin Coombes.

Replacements: Danny Sheahan, Emmet Calvey, Ronan Foxe.

Second Half Team

Munster Rugby: Mike Haley, Hubert Gilvarry, Seán O’Brien, Dan Kelly, Shay McCarthy; Tom Wood, Ethan Coughlan; Mark Donnelly, Diarmuid Barron, Kieran Brookes/Jack Aungier; Conor Ryan, Evan O’Connell; Jack O’Donoghue, Alex Kendellen, Brian Gleeson.

Replacements: Danny Sheahan, Emmet Calvey, Ronan Foxe.