The Munster team has been named for Friday’s URC Round 10 clash against Dragons at Virgin Media Park.
Kick-off is at 7.45pm with limited tickets remaining here.
There are eight changes to the side that faced Castres last week with 21-year-old Academy back-row forward Seán Edogbo in line for his senior competitive debut.
UCC’s Edogbo follows in the footsteps of his brother Edwin to become the second player from Cobh Pirates to play for Munster in the professional era with Edwin called up to the Ireland squad for the 2026 Six Nations earlier this week.
Mike Haley, Dan Kelly, JJ Hanrahan and Ethan Coughlan all come into the backline as captain Diarmuid Barron starts in the front-row with a new-look back row of Seán Edogbo, Ruadhán Quinn and Brian Gleeson.
Haley, Thaakir Abrahams and Shane Daly are named in the back three with Daly moving to the wing.
Alex Nankivell and Kelly start in midfield with Coughlan and Hanrahan in the half-backs.
Jeremy Loughman, Barron and Michael Ala’alatoa pack down in the front row with an unchanged second-row partnership of Jean Kleyn and Fineen Wycherley.
22-year-old Quinn is the elder statesman in the back-row alongside 21-year-olds Edogbo and Gleeson, who recently signed a two-year contract extension.
Lee Barron, Josh Wycherley and Oli Jager provide the front row back-up with Jager making a successful return from a head injury last week.
21-year-old lock Evan O’Connell is in line for his first senior appearance since November as Gavin Coombes completes the forward cover.
Paddy Patterson, who has completed the return-to-play protocols, Tony Butler and Diarmuid Kilgallen are the backline replacements.
Munster Rugby: Mike Haley; Thaakir Abrahams, Dan Kelly, Alex Nankivell, Shane Daly; JJ Hanrahan, Ethan Coughlan; Jeremy Loughman, Diarmuid Barron (C), Michael Ala’alatoa; Jean Kleyn, Fineen Wycherley; Seán Edogbo, Ruadhán Quinn, Brian Gleeson.
Replacements: Lee Barron, Josh Wycherley, Oli Jager, Evan O’Connell, Gavin Coombes, Paddy Patterson, Tony Butler, Diarmuid Kilgallen.
Unavailable for selection this week:
Alex Kendellen (ankle)
John Hodnett (thumb)
Edwin Edogbo (failed HIA post-match)
Tom Ahern (neck)
Calvin Nash (neck/shoulder)
Tickets
Friday, January 23
URC Round 10: Munster Rugby v Dragons RFC, Virgin Media Park, 7.45pm; Buy tickets here
Saturday, February 28
URC Round 12: Munster Rugby v Zebre Rugby, Thomond Park, 5.30pm; Buy tickets here
Saturday, April 25
URC Round 16: Munster Rugby v Ulster Rugby, Thomond Park, 5.30pm; Buy tickets here
Saturday, May 16
URC Round 18: Munster Rugby v Emirates Lions, Thomond Park, 7.45pm; Buy tickets here
