MUNSTER HAVE HANDED a first start to full-back Ben OโConnor as they face the Dragons tomorrow in the URC at Rodney Parade, [KO: 7.35pm, RTร 2 and Premier Sports 1].
OโConnor, a former Cork underage All-Ireland hurling winner, will make his first start after eight apperances to date for the province.
Academy hooker Danny Sheahan is set for his senior debut having been listed among the replacements. A former PBC student, Sheahan has lined out in the AIL for Cork Constitution.
OโConnorโs inclusion is one of six changes from last weekendโs loss to Northampton in the Champions Cup, with Shane Daly, Billy Burns, and Ethan Coughlan joining him in the backline.
Tom Ahern and captain Jack OโDonoghue are drafted into the pack.
Diarmuid Kilgallen will make his first URC appearance for Munster as he seeks to build on last weekโs impressive performance in bagging two tries against Northampton.
On the injury front, Niall Scannell was unavailable for selection as he continues the graduated return-to-play protocols.
Mike Haley has undergone successful surgery on the ankle injury he sustained in Northampton last week.
๐ง๐๐๐ ๐ก๐๐ช๐ฆ ๐ฅ
โ Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) January 24, 2025
4โฃ Academy players included
1โฃ5โฃ 1st start for full-back Ben O'Connor
1โฃ Danny Sheahan set for senior debut
We are en route to Wales for a vital #URC clash against @DragonsRFC tomorrow night ๐ฒ#SUAF ๐ด | #DRAvMUN
Munster
15. Ben OโConnor
14. Diarmuid Kilgallen
13. Tom Farrell
12. Rory Scannell
11. Shane Daly
10. Billy Burns
9. Ethan Coughlan
1. Dian Bleuler
2. Diarmuid Barron
3. Oli Jager
4. Fineen Wycherley
5. Tom Ahern
6. Jack OโDonoghue (captain)
7. Alex Kendellen
8. Gavin Coombes
Replacements:
16. Danny Sheahan
17. Kieran Ryan
18. John Ryan
19. Evan OโConnell
20. Brian Gleeson
21. Paddy Patterson
22. Tony Butler
23. John Hodnett
So Ferris Bleulerโs stay isnโt off?
@Justin Robinson: With Wycherley still out and Kilcoyne injured yet again they may have got an extension to the originally agreed period. Iโd like to see him stay full stop but at least to the end of the season.
@Justin Robinson: Lovely. Well played
@TL55: This is his last game, thereโs no extension. Ian Costelloe has said it a few times on access Munster.
@Kieran Jones: So itโs Ferris Bleulerโs dayโฆ and then heโs off?
Yes a good team. I think O Connor has the ability to go to play for Ireland but he needs game time @ 15. Hodnett is great impact sub. This is a MUST win for Munster.
@Oliver Curley: youโd certainly hope a game against the Dragons is a must win
Munster seriously been some more (better) options at 12. Aware that Dan Kelly has been rumoured, I think Charlie Tector at Leinster would be a great option / addition.
@Andrew: tector is a 10, if he moves ( and he should ) its to replace Billy burns.
@Andrew: sean Oโbrien will be back soon enough
@damien reidy: And Fitzy? Anyone know where heโs disappeared to after his debut try scoring introduction? easily a better option than RSโฆ *tumbleweed
@Thesaltyurchin: it amaze me how long RS has been in the squad and he just out lasts everyone ..
No idea about fitzy but daly an do a job there as well when Abrahams is back and fullback so the options are there in the coming weeks, I think Dan kelly could be a great addition as well because we need depth to allow for the injures that will inevitably come
@chris mcdonnell: Would be used at both 10&12 but I reckon 12 with Crowley at 10 for the big games. Young Butler is also a good prospect at 10
@damien reidy: nothing wrong with Rory Scannell. Has a role to play in the URC and is well up to standard for games like these. Didnโt do too badly in the recent championship cup games either as a second choice option.
@damien reidy: True but I think Tector has a much higher ceiling. Tector, Nanks, OโBrien and Farrell would provide quality centre options with Daly available also but mostly as part of the back 3.
@Andrew: have been saying this for some time.
Tector is primarily a 10 however, has played 12 this year for Leinster. I think he would be. Lovely signing for any of the provinces.
@TL55: that totally makes sense, his position at leinster is he will not be allowed challenge for the 10 shirt so itโs 12 or nothing. Henshaw and osbourne have that sewed up so Iโd say heโll be off
@Cormac OโHare: I admire scannell ,
He does the job he is asked to do
@chris mcdonnell: Pretty sure that decision is for Charlie and his coach to make
@Paul Ennis: he reminds me of an old man shaking his fist at the comments section
@Andrew: no thanks, we donโt need more leinster offcuts and they donโt need off
At least Ahern has finally gotten his start!! Hopefully he can impress and get added to the 6 nations squad after the initial opening round of games. No reason why Ireland shouldnโt consider building towards playing Ahern, Ryan Baird and Cormac Izzy at same time in the future. Would a level of athleticism / dynamism Ireland have never had!
Whereโs shay mccarthy? Heโs electric
@Cian Halley: agreed I think he should be getting more opportunities
Thatโs a nice team/ squad
Tom ahern starts yesssss
@Seanie: Out of necessity. Beirne, Kleyn, Edogbo all unavailable. Regardless it would be great to see him come through 80 minutes injury free. Do we really need a 6/2 bench split for this game? Or is it that we have so many backs out injured?
Most excited to see Sheehan on the bench. Hopefully he can step up the levels and become a real contender at hooker.
Strange that Paddy Patterson is not starting this game as he hasnโt got much game time this year due to injuries, etc. but has been on the bench for the last two CC games. Last year, IMHO he was ahead of Casey, no doubt there are many who disagree with that.
@Con Cussed: I disagree, but the reality is it was so long ago that they were actually competing that I donโt believe anyone here can make a convincing argument from memory. Potentially a great player tho, slow re introduction seems to be the way, must have been a horrible tear, plus Ethan C is playing decent enough rn.
@Thesaltyurchin: He had a nightmare against leinster a fee weeks back just lacks a certain calmness that coughlan looks to have
@damien reidy: Agreed. Probably needs both fitness work and game time to get back to his best.
@Con Cussed: both his kicking and passing are a long long ways off of caseys. Though not a technically sound scrumhalf, patterson is very quick which makes him a good breaking threat. Iโd rather coughlan starting over him though, a better all round 9