The Munster team has been named for Saturday’s URC Round 5 clash against Sharks at Thomond Park (5.30pm).
Match tickets are available here.
Academy centre Gordon Wood makes his first start for Munster on his fourth appearance for the province.
Rob Russell, who has been training with the squad in recent weeks, starts on the wing for his Munster debut. The 27-year-old lined out with Gloucester in the Prem last season having previously scored 18 tries in 35 appearances for Leinster.
Ben O’Donovan, JJ Hanrahan, Evan O’Connell, Seán Edogbo and Brian Gleeson also come into the starting XV.
Replacements Edwin Edogbo and Lee Barron are in line for their first appearances of the campaign after returning from injury.
Ben O’Connor, Shay McCarthy and Russell start in the back three with Alex Nankivell and Wood in midfield.
Ben O’Donovan and JJ Hanrahan are named in the half-backs.
Josh Wycherley, Marnus van der Merwe and Kieran Brookes pack down in the front row with Evan O’Connell and Fineen Wycherley in the engine room.
Seán Edogbo, Jack O’Donoghue and Brian Gleeson start in the back row.
Lee Barron, Jeremy Loughman and Michael Ala’alatoa provide the front row back-up as Edogbo, Gavin Coombes and Alex Kendellen complete the forward cover.
Jake O’Riordan and Charlie O’Shea are the backline replacements.
Head Coach Clayton McMillan said: “We are looking forward to a huge challenge in front of our supporters at Thomond Park.
“The Sharks have made an excellent start to the season and enjoyed two big wins on the road over the past two weekends.
“We are eager to finish off the first block of fixtures with a committed, quality performance at home.
“We were clear around what we wanted to improve in the summer – the scrum, our maul, our phase, our attack. There’s been lots of subtle changes and we feel like we’re going in the right direction.
“We know we need to get better. The young guys have been given opportunities and taken them with both hands, they have relished the challenge and that bodes well for the future.
“It will be a special day for Gordy Wood making his first start for his home province as part of an exciting young backline. He is an impressive young man and we’re looking forward to seeing what he can do.
“Rob Russell has been training with us for the past few weeks off the back of some really good performances in the AIL. He has a good pedigree in the professional game and has really impressed us since coming in.
“We are starting to get some bodies back from injury and it’s good to see Edwin Edogbo and Lee Barron back in the mix this week after missing the opening months of the season.”
Munster Rugby: Ben O’Connor; Shay McCarthy, Gordon Wood, Alex Nankivell, Rob Russell; JJ Hanrahan, Ben O’Donovan; Josh Wycherley, Marnus van der Merwe, Kieran Brookes; Evan O’Connell, Fineen Wycherley; Seán Edogbo, Jack O’Donoghue (C), Brian Gleeson.
Replacements: Lee Barron, Jeremy Loughman, Michael Ala’alatoa, Edwin Edogbo, Gavin Coombes, Jake O’Riordan, Charlie O’Shea, Alex Kendellen.