The Munster team has been named for Friday’s URC Round 16 clash against Cardiff at the Arms Park (7.35pm, live on TG4 and Premier Sports).
There are seven changes to the side that faced Bulls at Thomond Park last week.
Michael Milne starts on his Munster debut with Mike Haley, Calvin Nash, Craig Casey and Gavin Coombes all returning from injury/illness.
John Ryan and Fineen Wycherley also come into the side with Academy tighthead prop Ronan Foxe and Academy flanker Ruadhán Quinn among the replacements.
In the back three, Haley starts at full-back for the first time since January after recovering from an ankle injury with right winger Nash also recovering from an ankle knock that forced him to miss the Bulls game. Thaakir Abrahams moves from full-back to the left wing.
Alex Nankivell and Tom Farrell continue their centre partnership as Casey returns from illness to join Jack Crowley in the half-backs.
Milne, Niall Scannell and Ryan pack down in the front row with Wycherley and captain Tadhg Beirne in the engine room.
O’Donoghue, Alex Kendellen and Coombes form the back row with Coombes returning after an ankle knock.
Diarmuid Barron joins the replacements after recovering from a shoulder/arm injury with Mark Donnelly, Foxe, Jean Kleyn and Quinn completing the forward cover.
Paddy Patterson, Tony Butler and Seán O’Brien are the backline replacements.
On the injury front, Tom Ahern, Stephen Archer, Conor Murray and Josh Wycherley all picked up knocks against Bulls and were unavailable for selection this week. John Hodnett and Peter O’Mahony were also unavailable due to short-term injuries.
Munster Rugby: Mike Haley; Calvin Nash, Tom Farrell, Alex Nankivell, Thaakir Abrahams; Jack Crowley, Craig Casey; Michael Milne, Niall Scannell, John Ryan; Fineen Wycherley, Tadhg Beirne (C); Jack O’Donoghue, Alex Kendellen, Gavin Coombes.
Replacements: Diarmuid Barron, Mark Donnelly, Ronan Foxe, Jean Kleyn, Ruadhán Quinn, Paddy Patterson, Tony Butler, Seán O’Brien.
Tickets
URC Round 17: Friday, May 9
Munster v Ulster, Thomond Park, 7.35pm; Buy tickets here
URC Round 18: Friday, May 16
Munster v Benetton, Virgin Media Park, 8pm; Buy tickets here
Saturday, November 1
Munster v Argentina XV, Thomond Park, 5pm; Buy tickets here
