KERRY MAN JACK Daly is set for his European debut for Munster off the bench in tomorrow’s Champions Cup quarter-final clash with Toulouse at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin [KO 3pm, BT Sport].
The 23-year-old flanker is included as part of a 6/2 split of forwards and backs on the Munster bench, with head coach Johann van Graan opting for a settled-looking starting XV in the ongoing injury absences of Tadhg Beirne, Gavin Coombes, John Hodnett, RG Snyman, and Dave Kilcoyne.
While Andrew Conway returned to training this week, van Graan has gone for the in-form back three of Mike Haley, Simon Zebo, and Keith Earls – Shane Daly is unlucky to miss out on making the 23 – while Damian de Allende and Chris Farrell team up in midfield.
Conor Murray retains his place at scrum-half, with Craig Casey having to settle for a bench role again, as Joey Carbery wears the number 10 shirt.
22-year-old Josh Wycherley gets another big start in a front row that also includes Niall Scannell and Stephen Archer, who will make his 247th Munster appearance, moving him level with Billy Holland in second place on the province’s all-time appearances list behind only Donncha O’Callaghan [268].
Jean Kleyn and Fineen Wycherley team up in the second row, while captain Peter O’Mahony combines with outstanding 21-year-old Alex Kendellen and Jack O’Donoghue in the back row.
The bench includes impressive 22-year-old lock Thomas Ahern and powerful South African lock Jason Jenkins.
Meanwhile, Toulouse have named a powerful pack to take on Munster, with French Grand Slam winners Anthony Jelonch, Cyrill Baille, and Peato Mauvaka only making the bench.
Antoine Dupont and Romain Ntamack start in the halfback slots again.
Ugo Mola’s side are missing Santiago Chocobares, Juan Cruz Mallia, Sofiane Guitoune, Lucas Tauzin, and Zack Holmes due to injury or suspension, meaning that centre Pierre Fouyssac gets his first Champions Cup start.
Munster:
- 15. Mike Haley
- 14. Keith Earls
- 13. Chris Farrell
- 12. Damian de Allende
- 11. Simon Zebo
- 10. Joey Carbery
- 9. Conor Murray
- 1. Josh Wycherley
- 2. Niall Scannell
- 3. Stephen Archer
- 4. Jean Kleyn
- 5. Fineen Wycherley
- 6. Peter O’Mahony (captain)
- 7. Alex Kendellen
- 8. Jack O’Donoghue
Replacements:
- 16. Diarmuid Barron
- 17. Jeremy Loughman
- 18. John Ryan
- 19. Jason Jenkins
- 20. Thomas Ahern
- 21. Craig Casey
- 22. Ben Healy
- 23. Jack Daly
Toulouse:
- 15. Thomas Ramos
- 14. Dimitri Delibes
- 13. Pierre Fouyssac
- 12. Pita Ahki
- 11. Matthis Lebel
- 10. Romain Ntamack
- 9. Antoine Dupont
- 1. Rodrigue Neti
- 2. Julien Marchand (captain)
- 3. Dorian Aldegheri
- 4. Rory Arnold
- 5. Emmanuel Meafou
- 6. Rynhardt Elstadt
- 7. Thibaud Flament
- 8. Francois Cros
Replacements:
- 16. Peato Mauvaka
- 17. Cyril Baille
- 18. David Ainu’u
- 19. Joe Tekori
- 20. Selevasio Tolofua
- 21. Anthony Jelonch
- 22. Baptiste Germain
- 23. Maxime Médard
Referee: Luke Pearce [RFU].
