MUNSTER BOSS CLAYTON McMillan has named a much-changed team for his side’s Challenge Cup round of 16 visit to Exeter on Saturday [KO 12.30pm, Premier Sports].
Captain Tadhg Beirne returns in the second row for the first time since the Six Nations, while his fellow Ireland internationals Jeremy Loughman and Tom Farrell also come into the starting XV.
McMillan has brought Thaakir Abrahams and Diarmuid Kilgallen in on the wings as he makes a total of 10 changes after last weekend’s loss to the Bulls, with Ben O’Connor continuing at fullback.
Farrell is back in the number 13 shirt, with Alex Nankivell retained at inside centre for what will be his 50th Munster appearance.
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Lee Barron and John Ryan join Loughman in the front row, while Edwin Edogbo is named to start in the second row alongside Beirne. Jack O’Donoghue and Gavin Coombes have been recalled in the back row, where Alex Kendellen is retained.
Craig Casey and Jack Crowley will steer the ship from the halfback slots again.
Among the changes to the 6/2 Munster bench is the inclusion of 21-year-old scrum-half Ben O’Donovan for what will be his debut. The former New Zealand U20 halfback, who is Irish-qualified, joined Munster in February.
Munster have confirmed that Oli Jager, Conor Bartley, Fineen Wycherley, Jean Kleyn, Diarmuid Barron, Brian Gleeson, Calvin Nash, and Mike Haley were unavailable for selection due to injuries.
Munster (v Exeter):
15. Ben O’Connor
14. Thaakir Abrahams
13. Tom Farrell
12. Alex Nankivell
11. Diarmuid Kilgallen
10. Jack Crowley
9. Craig Casey
1. Jeremy Loughman
2. Lee Barron
3. John Ryan
4. Edwin Edogbo
5. Tadhg Beirne (captain)
6. Jack O’Donoghue
7. Alex Kendellen
8. Gavin Coombes
Replacements:
16. Niall Scannell
17. Michael Milne
18. Michael Ala’alatoa
19. Tom Ahern
20. Ruadhán Quinn
21. Ben O’Donovan
22. Seán O’Brien
23. John Hodnett
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Beirne returns as skipper in much-changed Munster XV for Exeter
MUNSTER BOSS CLAYTON McMillan has named a much-changed team for his side’s Challenge Cup round of 16 visit to Exeter on Saturday [KO 12.30pm, Premier Sports].
Captain Tadhg Beirne returns in the second row for the first time since the Six Nations, while his fellow Ireland internationals Jeremy Loughman and Tom Farrell also come into the starting XV.
McMillan has brought Thaakir Abrahams and Diarmuid Kilgallen in on the wings as he makes a total of 10 changes after last weekend’s loss to the Bulls, with Ben O’Connor continuing at fullback.
Farrell is back in the number 13 shirt, with Alex Nankivell retained at inside centre for what will be his 50th Munster appearance.
Lee Barron and John Ryan join Loughman in the front row, while Edwin Edogbo is named to start in the second row alongside Beirne. Jack O’Donoghue and Gavin Coombes have been recalled in the back row, where Alex Kendellen is retained.
Craig Casey and Jack Crowley will steer the ship from the halfback slots again.
Among the changes to the 6/2 Munster bench is the inclusion of 21-year-old scrum-half Ben O’Donovan for what will be his debut. The former New Zealand U20 halfback, who is Irish-qualified, joined Munster in February.
Munster have confirmed that Oli Jager, Conor Bartley, Fineen Wycherley, Jean Kleyn, Diarmuid Barron, Brian Gleeson, Calvin Nash, and Mike Haley were unavailable for selection due to injuries.
Munster (v Exeter):
15. Ben O’Connor
14. Thaakir Abrahams
13. Tom Farrell
12. Alex Nankivell
11. Diarmuid Kilgallen
10. Jack Crowley
9. Craig Casey
1. Jeremy Loughman
2. Lee Barron
3. John Ryan
4. Edwin Edogbo
5. Tadhg Beirne (captain)
6. Jack O’Donoghue
7. Alex Kendellen
8. Gavin Coombes
Replacements:
16. Niall Scannell
17. Michael Milne
18. Michael Ala’alatoa
19. Tom Ahern
20. Ruadhán Quinn
21. Ben O’Donovan
22. Seán O’Brien
23. John Hodnett
Referee: Jeremy Rozier [FFR].
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Champions Cup exeter Munster Team news