Johnston To Captain Munster Development XV

In securing valuable game-time Munster’s John Madigan and David Johnston are included in the Munster Development XV, with the latter captaining the side for tomorrow’s game against Ireland U20 XV at Thomond Park, ko 1pm.

Six Greencore academy players are named in the starting line-up – Liam O’Connor, Rory Burke, Fineen Wycherley, Gavin Coombes, Greg O’Shea and Steven McMahon – with Wycherley and Coombes members of the Ireland U20 training panel but wearing red on this occasion.

Academy fullback/winger Stephen Fitzgerald has successfully rehabbed an ankle injury to be included in the replacements.

Shannon’s Jack Stafford and Conor Fitzgerald, brother of Stephen, are also Ireland U20s panellists and start as the half-back pairing, with Garryowen winger Liam Coombes the final inclusion from the U20s panel.

Munster Development XV: Steven McMahon; Liam Coombes (Garryowen), David Johnston (Capt.), David McCarthy (Garryowen), Greg O’Shea; Conor Fitzgerald (Shannon), Jack Stafford (Shannon); Liam O’Connor, Niall Mulcahy (Shannon), Rory Burke; Fineen Wycherley, John Madigan; Bailey Fallon (Garryowen), Jack Daly (Castleisland), Gavin Coombes.

Replacements: Diarmuid Barron (UCC), James French (Bandon Grammar), Rob O’Donovan (UCC), Ronan Coffey (Shannon), Evan Mintern (Cork Con), Jack Lyons (Young Munster), Alex Molloy (Waterpark), Stephen Fitzgerald.

Munster Development XV v Ireland U20 XV, Thursday 29th December 2016, Thomond Park, 1pm.

Admission is free with gates open (East Stand only) from 12pm.