The Munster team has been named for Friday’s sold-out URC Round 9 Interpro derby against Leinster at Thomond Park (7.35pm, live on TG4 & Premier Sports).
Additional goal-line seating is in place at both ends of the ground with an increased capacity of 26,267. Tickets are still on sale for the Champions Cup clash against Saracens on Saturday, January 11 (5.30pm). Buy tickets here.
There are seven changes to the side that recorded a bonus-point victory away to Ulster last week.
Tadhg Beirne returns to captain Munster with Rory Scannell, Billy Burns, Ethan Coughlan, Dian Bleuler, Oli Jager and Alex Kendellen also coming into the starting XV.
There is a positional switch for Tom Ahern as he moves to the back row,
Mike Haley, Calvin Nash and Shane Daly form an unchanged back three with Rory Scannell and last week’s Player of the Match Tom Farrell in midfield.
Coughlan and Burns start together in the half-backs.
Bleuler has completed the return-to-play protocols to make his fourth start at loosehead prop with Niall Scannell and Oli Jager completing the front row.
Fineen Wycherley and Beirne start in the engine room with Ahern, Alex Kendellen and Gavin Coombes completing the starting XV.
Diarmuid Barron, Academy prop Kieran Ryan and John Ryan provide the front row back-up with Brian Gleeson and John Hodnett completing the forward cover.
Paddy Patterson, Tony Butler and Academy back three player Ben O’Connor are the backline replacements.
On the injury front, Peter O’Mahony (calf contusion), Conor Murray (elbow) and Jack O’Donoghue (shoulder) were unavailable for selection.
In line with IRFU player management guidelines, Jack Crowley was unavailable for selection.
Munster: Mike Haley; Calvin Nash, Tom Farrell, Rory Scannell, Shane Daly; Billy Burns, Ethan Coughlan; Dian Bleuler, Niall Scannell, Oli Jager; Fineen Wycherley, Tadhg Beirne (C); Tom Ahern, Alex Kendellen, Gavin Coombes.
Replacements: Diarmuid Barron, Kieran Ryan, John Ryan, Brian Gleeson, John Hodnett, Paddy Patterson, Tony Butler, Ben O’Connor.
Leinster: Jamie Osborne; Tommy O’Brien, Garry Ringrose, Robbie Henshaw, Jimmy O’Brien; Sam Prendergast, Luke McGrath; Jack Boyle, Rónan Kelleher, Rabah Slimani; Joe McCarthy, James Ryan; Ryan Baird, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris (C)
Replacements: Lee Barron, Andrew Porter, Cian Healy, Brian Deeny, Scott Penny, Fintan Gunne, Ross Byrne, Jordan Larmour.
Tickets
Champions Cup Round 3: Saturday, January 11
Munster v Saracens, Thomond Park, 5.30pm; Buy tickets here
URC Round 11: Saturday, February 15
Munster v Scarlets, Thomond Park, 5.15pm; Buy tickets here
URC Round 12: Friday, February 28
Munster v Edinburgh, Virgin Media Park, 7.35pm; Buy tickets here
URC Round 15: Saturday, April 19
Munster v Bulls, Thomond Park, 5.15pm; Buy tickets here
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
