GORDON WOOD WILL make his first start for Munster this weekend, having been named in the side that will take on the Sharks in Thomond Park on Saturday [KO 5.30, Premier Sports].
Clayton McMillan has again made a number of changes to his matchday 23, with Rob Russell coming in on the wing, while Ben O’Donovan, JJ Hanrahan, Evan O’Connell, Seán Edogbo and Brian Gleeson also join the starting side.
Former Leinster and Gloucester player Russell is set to make his Munster debut, having joined the squad in recent weeks as injury cover.
On the Munster bench, Edwin Edogbo and Lee Barron are in line for their first appearances of the season after returning from injury.
Edwin Edogbo is on the Munster bench. Nick Elliott / INPHO
Nick Elliott / INPHO / INPHO
Russell starts in the back three alongside fullback Ben O’Connor and Shay McCarthy, while Wood partners Alex Nankivell in the Munster midfield.
Ben O’Donovan and JJ Hanrahan start in the half-backs.
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Josh Wycherley, Marnus van der Merwe and Kieran Brookes are in the front row with Evan O’Connell and Fineen Wycherley in the second row.
Seán Edogbo, captain Jack O’Donoghue and Brian Gleeson start in the back row.
Barron, Jeremy Loughman and Michael Ala’alatoa provide the front row back-up as Edogbo, Gavin Coombes and Alex Kendellen complete the forward cover.
Jake O’Riordan and Charlie O’Shea are the backline replacements.
Munster head coach Clayton McMillan said: “We are looking forward to a huge challenge in front of our supporters at Thomond Park.
“The Sharks have made an excellent start to the season and enjoyed two big wins on the road over the past two weekends.
“We are eager to finish off the first block of fixtures with a committed, quality performance at home.
“We were clear around what we wanted to improve in the summer – the scrum, our maul, our phase, our attack. There’s been lots of subtle changes and we feel like we’re going in the right direction.
“We know we need to get better. The young guys have been given opportunities and taken them with both hands, they have relished the challenge and that bodes well for the future.
“It will be a special day for Gordy Wood making his first start for his home province as part of an exciting young backline. He is an impressive young man and we’re looking forward to seeing what he can do.
“Rob Russell has been training with us for the past few weeks off the back of some really good performances in the AIL. He has a good pedigree in the professional game and has really impressed us since coming in.
“We are starting to get some bodies back from injury and it’s good to see Edwin Edogbo and Lee Barron back in the mix this week after missing the opening months of the season.”
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Wood and Russell named in Munster side to face Sharks
GORDON WOOD WILL make his first start for Munster this weekend, having been named in the side that will take on the Sharks in Thomond Park on Saturday [KO 5.30, Premier Sports].
Clayton McMillan has again made a number of changes to his matchday 23, with Rob Russell coming in on the wing, while Ben O’Donovan, JJ Hanrahan, Evan O’Connell, Seán Edogbo and Brian Gleeson also join the starting side.
Former Leinster and Gloucester player Russell is set to make his Munster debut, having joined the squad in recent weeks as injury cover.
On the Munster bench, Edwin Edogbo and Lee Barron are in line for their first appearances of the season after returning from injury.
Russell starts in the back three alongside fullback Ben O’Connor and Shay McCarthy, while Wood partners Alex Nankivell in the Munster midfield.
Ben O’Donovan and JJ Hanrahan start in the half-backs.
Josh Wycherley, Marnus van der Merwe and Kieran Brookes are in the front row with Evan O’Connell and Fineen Wycherley in the second row.
Seán Edogbo, captain Jack O’Donoghue and Brian Gleeson start in the back row.
Barron, Jeremy Loughman and Michael Ala’alatoa provide the front row back-up as Edogbo, Gavin Coombes and Alex Kendellen complete the forward cover.
Jake O’Riordan and Charlie O’Shea are the backline replacements.
Munster head coach Clayton McMillan said: “We are looking forward to a huge challenge in front of our supporters at Thomond Park.
“The Sharks have made an excellent start to the season and enjoyed two big wins on the road over the past two weekends.
“We are eager to finish off the first block of fixtures with a committed, quality performance at home.
“We were clear around what we wanted to improve in the summer – the scrum, our maul, our phase, our attack. There’s been lots of subtle changes and we feel like we’re going in the right direction.
“We know we need to get better. The young guys have been given opportunities and taken them with both hands, they have relished the challenge and that bodes well for the future.
“It will be a special day for Gordy Wood making his first start for his home province as part of an exciting young backline. He is an impressive young man and we’re looking forward to seeing what he can do.
“Rob Russell has been training with us for the past few weeks off the back of some really good performances in the AIL. He has a good pedigree in the professional game and has really impressed us since coming in.
“We are starting to get some bodies back from injury and it’s good to see Edwin Edogbo and Lee Barron back in the mix this week after missing the opening months of the season.”
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