Hurley Among The Munster New Caps.

Garryowen’s Gerry Hurley will make his senior debut for Munster against the US Eagles on Sunday in Chicago’s Toyota Park (2.10pm). The 23 year old will partner another debutant, Paul Warwick who joined Munster this season from Connacht.

The occasion will also see Mick O’Driscoll win his 100th cap for Munster.

Munster coach Declan Kidney also gives first starts to Niall Ronan and Kieran Lewis while Mossy Lawler is named at full back.

Kidney has yet to finalise his bench. He would prefer the option of using all nine replacements but was waiting on The US Eagles management to confirm if such a request was agreeable with them.

Munster announced their starting XV just before the start of training at Fenwick High School Athletic grounds in this morning and afterwards Kidney expressed his pleasure the way things had gone on this trip. ” I am very happy with the application shown by everyone, not just this week but in the lead up as well. Pre-season has gone well and what better way to open your season than by playing against international opposition. Its going to be a huge game for us. The Eagles will be looking to go away to the World Cup with a win under their belts but I think we’ll give a good account of ourselves. I know we’re all looking forward to it.”

Munster: M Lawler; J Kelly, L Mafi, K Lewis, A Horgan; P Warwick, G Hurley; F Pucciariello, D Fogarty, T Buckley; D Ryan, M O’Driscoll; J O’Sullivan, N Ronan, A Foley capt
Replacements (from); Darragh Hurley, T Ryan, M Essex, M Melbourne, T O’Leary, J Manning, T Gleeson D Hurley, C O’Boyle