The Munster team has been named for Friday night’s URC Round 9 clash against Ulster at Affidea Stadium (7.45pm, live on Premier Sports).
There are 10 personnel changes and one positional switch from the side that faced Leinster at Thomond Park on Saturday.
Calvin Nash returns from illness with Dan Kelly, JJ Hanrahan and Paddy Patterson also coming into the starting backline.
Captain Diarmuid Barron, Josh Wycherley, Jean Kleyn, Fineen Wycherley, John Hodnett and Alex Kendellen start in the pack.
In the replacements, Brian Gleeson returns from the elbow injury he sustained at Croke Park in October.
Full-back Mike Haley, Nash and Thaakir Abrahams form the back three with Alex Nankivell and Dan Kelly named as the centre partnership.
Patterson and Hanrahan, who made his 150th Munster appearance against Ospreys in December, are the half-back pairing.
Josh Wycherley, Barron and Michael Ala’alatoa start in the front row with Kleyn and Fineen Wycherley in the engine room.
Tom Ahern moves from the second row to blindside flanker with Hodnett and Kendellen completing the back row.
Lee Barron, Jeremy Loughman and Conor Bartley provide the front row back-up as Jack O’Donoghue and Gleeson complete the forward cover.
Ethan Coughlan, Tony Butler and Seán O’Brien are the backline replacements.
Munster Rugby: Mike Haley; Calvin Nash, Dan Kelly, Alex Nankivell, Thaakir Abrahams; JJ Hanrahan, Paddy Patterson; Josh Wycherley, Diarmuid Barron (C), Michael Ala’alatoa; Jean Kleyn, Fineen Wycherley; Tom Ahern, John Hodnett, Alex Kendellen.
Replacements: Lee Barron, Jeremy Loughman, Conor Bartley, Jack O’Donoghue, Brian Gleeson, Ethan Coughlan, Tony Butler, Seán O’Brien.
Unavailable for selection this week:
Oli Jager (head) – estimated return in two to three weeks.
Andrew Smith (hamstring) – estimated return in one to two weeks.
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
