THE Munster Rugby team has been named for Friday’s sold-out URC Round 9 interprovincial derby against Leinster at Thomond Park, 7.35pm kick-off, live on TG4 and Premier Sports.
Additional goal-line seating is in place at both ends of the Limerick ground with an increased capacity of 26,267.
There are seven changes to the Munster Rugby side that recorded a bonus-point victory away to Ulster last week.
Tadhg Beirne returns to captain Munster with Rory Scannell, Billy Burns, Ethan Coughlan, Dian Bleuler, Oli Jager and Alex Kendellen also coming into the starting XV.
There is a positional switch for Tom Ahern as he moves to the back row,
Mike Haley, Calvin Nash and Shane Daly form an unchanged back three with Rory Scannell and last week’s Player of the Match Tom Farrell in midfield.
Coughlan and Burns start together in the half-backs.
Bleuler has completed the return-to-play protocols to make his fourth start at loosehead prop with Niall Scannell and Oli Jager completing the front row.
Fineen Wycherley and Beirne start in the engine room with Ahern, Alex Kendellen and Gavin Coombes completing the starting XV.
Diarmuid Barron, Academy prop Kieran Ryan and John Ryan provide the front row back-up with Brian Gleeson and John Hodnett completing the forward cover.
Paddy Patterson, Tony Butler and Academy back three player Ben O’Connor are the backline replacements.
On the injury front, Peter O’Mahony (calf contusion), Conor Murray (elbow) and Jack O’Donoghue (shoulder) were unavailable for selection.
In line with IRFU player management guidelines, Jack Crowley was unavailable for selection.
Meanwhile, Captain Caelan Doris will return for Leinster in their BKT URC clash with Munster in Limerick.
Jamie Osborne is back from injury and starts at full back, with Tommy O’Brien and Jimmy O’Brien on the wings.
Robbie Henshaw and Garry Ringrose form a familiar looking partnership in the centre, with Luke McGrath and Sam Prendergast in the half backs.
In the pack, Jack Boyle, Rónan Kelleher and Rabah Slimani are the front row selected by Cullen, with Joe McCarthy and James Ryan back this week in the engine room.
Ryan Baird, Josh van der Flier – making his 150th appearance in the blue of Leinster – and Doris complete the starting XV for Cullen.
MUNSTER RUGBY: Mike Haley; Calvin Nash, Tom Farrell, Rory Scannell, Shane Daly; Billy Burns, Ethan Coughlan; Dian Bleuler, Niall Scannell, Oli Jager; Fineen Wycherley, Tadhg Beirne (C); Tom Ahern, Alex Kendellen, Gavin Coombes. Replacements: Diarmuid Barron, Kieran Ryan, John Ryan, Brian Gleeson, John Hodnett, Paddy Patterson, Tony Butler, Ben O’Connor.
LEINSTER RUGBY: Jamie Osborne, Tommy O’Brien, Garry Ringrose, Robbie Henshaw, Jimmy O’Brien, Sam Prendergast, Luke McGrath;Jack Boyle, Rónan Kelleher, Rabah Slimani, Joe McCarthy, James Ryan, Ryan Baird, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris Replacements: Lee Barron, Andrew Porter, Cian Healy, Brian Deeny, Scott Penny, Fintan Gunne, Ross Byrne, Jordan Larmour.
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Author : rugby-247
Publish date : 2024-12-26 16:11:12
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