Munster and Connacht each welcome back a batch of players who were involved in the Nations Series with Ireland for Saturday night’s United Rugby Championship Interprovincial derby at Thomond Park (kick-off 7.35pm, live on RTÉ Sport, Premier Sport and URC TV).
Tadhg Beirne, who was named in World Rugby Men’s 15s Team of the Year earlier this week, starts on his 50th Munster appearance with Peter O’Mahony captaining a Munster side which also sees Joey Carbery, Craig Casey and Calvin Nash returning from Ireland camp.
Jean Kleyn returns from injury and Alex Kendellen starts at number ‘8′ as Graham Rowntree makes seven changes to the side that beat the South Africa Select XV at Páirc Uí Chaoimh.
Antoine Frisch makes his first URC start as he continues his midfield partnership with Rory Scannell.
The newly capped duo of Jeremy Loughman and Jack Crowley also return from international camp and are included among the replacements, along with John Ryan, who is back from representing the Barbarians. Academy lock Edwin Edogbo is son line for his seventh appearance of the season.
Andy Friend names six players in the Connacht squad who were involved with either Ireland or the Ireland ‘A’ side, as Dave Heffernan, Finlay Bealham, Gavin Thornbury, the newly capped Cian Prendergast, Caolin Blade and Bundee Aki are all included in the starting XV.
Shane Delahunt, who has recovered from an eight-month injury lay-off, is named on the bench for a potential first appearance of the season. Friend has opted for a 6-2 split on the bench, meaning Niall Murray, Oisin Dowling and Paul Boyle can all be called upon.
Munster: Mike Haley; Calvin Nash, Antoine Frisch, Rory Scannell, Shane Daly; Joey Carbery, Craig Casey; Josh Wycherley, Diarmuid Barron, Roman Salanoa; Jean Kleyn, Tadhg Beirne; Peter O’Mahony (C), John Hodnett, Alex Kendellen.
Replacements: Niall Scannell, Jeremy Loughman, John Ryan, Edwin Edogbo, Jack O’Donoghue, Paddy Patterson, Jack Crowley, Gavin Coombes.
Connacht: John Porch; Byron Ralston, Tom Farrell, Bundee Aki, Alex Wooton; Jack Carty (captain), Caolin Clade; Denis Buckley, Dave Heffernan, Finlay Bealham; Josh Murphy, Gavin Thornbury; Cian Prendergast, Conor Oliver, Jarrad Butler.
Replacements: Shane Delahunt, Peter Dooley, Jack Aungier, Niall Murray, Oisín Dowling, Kieran Marmion, Connor Fitzgerald, Paul Boyle.
Match tickets are available to buy online via Ticketmaster.ie or from the stadium on match day. A family pack of four tickets costs just €40 with Stand tickets from €15 for juniors and €30 for adults.
