The Munster team has been named for Saturday’s sold-out URC Round 8 Interpro derby against Leinster at Thomond Park (7.45pm, live on Premier Sports).
There are seven changes to the side that secured a bonus-poiunt win against Ospreys in Wales on Saturday.
Captain Tadhg Beirne, Thaakir Abrahams, Craig Casey, Michael Milne, Lee Barron, Edwin Edogbo and Tom Ahern all come into the starting XV. There are two positional changes as Shane Daly moves to full-back and Jack O’Donoghue switches from blindside to openside flanker.
John Ryan is named among the replacements and is in line to make his 250th Munster appearance. In doing so, he will become just the third player to reach the landmark with only Stephen Archer (304) and Donncha O’Callaghan (268) playing more games for the province.
Diarmuid Barron (head) and Dan Kelly (calf) both return from injury among the replacements.
Daly, Calvin Nash and Abrahams start in the back three with an unchanged centre partnership of Alex Nankivell and Tom Farrell.
Craig Casey and Jack Crowley start in the half-backs.
Michael Milne, Lee Barron and Michael Ala’alatoa start in the front row with Edogbo and Ahern in the engine room.
Beirne, Jack O’Donoghue and Gavin Coombes are named in the back row.
Diarmuid Barron, Jeremy Loughman and John Ryan provide the front row back-up with Jean Kleyn, Fineen Wycherley and John Hodnett completing the forward cover.
Paddy Patterson and Kelly are the backline replacements.
Munster Rugby: Shane Daly; Calvin Nash, Tom Farrell, Alex Nankivell, Thaakir Abrahams; Jack Crowley, Craig Casey; Michael Milne, Lee Barron, Michael Ala’alatoa; Edwin Edogbo, Tom Ahern; Tadhg Beirne (C), Jack O’Donoghue, Gavin Coombes.
Replacements: Diarmuid Barron, Jeremy Loughman, John Ryan, Jean Kleyn, Fineen Wycherley, Paddy Patterson, Dan Kelly, John Hodnett.
Tickets
Saturday, January 17
Champions Cup Round 4: Munster Rugby v Castres Olympique, Thomond Park, 5.30pm; Buy tickets here
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
