Captain Tadhg Beirne will lead Munster on his 100th appearance for the province against Castres at Thomond Park tomorrow.
There are three changes to the side that were narrowly beaten in Toulon last weekend as Thaakir Abrahams, Niall Scannell and Jean Kleyn all come into the starting 15.
Craig Casey has recovered from a shoulder knock to start in the half-backs with Jack Crowley.
Full details:
The Munster team has been named for Saturday’s crucial Investec Champions Cup clash against Castres Olympique at Thomond Park (5.30pm).
Captain Tadhg Beirne will lead Munster on his 100th appearance for the province.
There are three changes to the side that were narrowly beaten in Toulon last weekend as Thaakir Abrahams, Niall Scannell and Jean Kleyn all come into the starting XV.
Shane Daly, Abrahams and Academy man Ben O’Connor start in the back three with Alex Nankivell and Tom Farrell continuing their centre partnership.
Craig Casey has recovered from a shoulder knock to start in the half-backs with Jack Crowley.
Jeremy Loughman, Scannell and Michael Ala’alatoa pack down in the front row with Kleyn and Fineen Wycherley in the engine room.
An unchanged back row of Beirne, Jack O’Donoghue and Gavin Coombes completes the starting XV.
Lee Barron, Michael Milne and Oli Jager provide the front row back-up with Jager included in a matchday squad for the first time since October after returning from a head injury.
Edwin Edogbo and Brian Gleeson complete the forward cover.
Ethan Coughlan, JJ Hanrahan and Dan Kelly are the backline replacements.
Munster Rugby: Shane Daly; Thaakir Abrahams, Tom Farrell, Alex Nankivell, Ben O’Connor; Jack Crowley, Craig Casey; Jeremy Loughman, Niall Scannell, Michael Ala’alatoa; Jean Kleyn, Fineen Wycherley; Tadhg Beirne (C), Jack O’Donoghue, Gavin Coombes.
Replacements: Lee Barron, Michael Milne, Oli Jager, Edwin Edogbo, Brian Gleeson, Ethan Coughlan, JJ Hanrahan, Dan Kelly.
Unavailable for selection this week:
Alex Kendellen (ankle) – will return to play in three to five weeks.
John Hodnett (thumb) – will return to play in the coming weeks.
Seán O’Brien (shoulder) – will return to play in three to five weeks.
Tom Ahern (neck) – will return to play in the coming weeks.
Calvin Nash (head/shoulder) – will return to play in the coming weeks.
Leinster head coach Leo Cullen has made 8 changes to his team to face Bayonne in the Champions Cup tomorrow.
The return of several key players including, Garry Ringrose, Jimmy O’Brien and RG Snyman from injury, stand out.
James Ryan starts in the second row as he brings up his 50th Champions Cup appearance, while Caelan Doris closes in on his 100th Leinster cap on 99.
Harry Byrne starts at out-half after his match-winning contribution off the bench last week against La Rochelle.
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Ulster have named their Challenge Cup team to face Stade Francais in Belfast.
In the front row, Wallaby loosehead prop Angus Bell joins hooker Tom Stewart and tighthead prop, Tom O�Toole.
Ireland international lock and Ulster captain, Iain Henderson, starts in the second row alongside Harry Sheridan.
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Connacht head coach Stuart Lancaster makes three changes from the side that lost to Montpellier last weekend.
Hooker Dave Heffernan, scrum-half Matthew Devine and out-half Jack Carty coming into the side after all three returned from injury.
The second row pairing of Darragh Murray and Josh Murphy make their 50th appearances for the province.
Jack Aungier and Sean Naughton return from injury and are named on the bench.
