Munster Rugby team confirmed for vital URC fixture in South Africa

THE Munster RUGBY team has been named for Saturday’s URC Round 17 clash against Stormers at DHL Stadium in Cape Town.

There are five changes to the side that were beaten by Sharks in Durban two weeks ago - RG Snyman makes his second start in-a-row and his first URC start since his Munster debut in August 2020.

Saturday's tie starts at 5.15pm Irish time and is live on RTE.

Loosehead prop Jeremy Loughman has recovered from a thigh injury and makes his first appearance since December in an all-changed front row.

Hooker Diarmuid Barron and tighthead prop Stephen Archer also come into the pack along with flanker Alex Kendellen.

There is one change to the backline as Conor Murray starts at scrum-half.

Mike Haley starts at full-back with Calvin Nash, who made his 50th appearance last time out, and Shane Daly on either flank.

Malakai Fekitoa and Antoine Frisch continue their centre partnership with Murray and Jack Crowley in the half-backs.

Loughman, Barron and Archer pack down in the front row with Jean Kleyn and Snyman in the engine room.

Captain Peter O’Mahony, Kendellen and Gavin Coombes complete the starting line-up.

Scott Buckley, Keynan Knox, Ben Healy and Keith Earls come into the squad as replacements.

Earls is in line for his 199th Munster appearance and his first since the win in Ulster on New Year’s Day after recovering from a calf injury.

MUNSTER: Mike Haley; Calvin Nash, Antoine Frisch, Malakai Fekitoa, Shane Daly; Jack Crowley, Conor Murray; Jeremy Loughman, Diarmuid Barron, Stephen Archer; Jean Kleyn, RG Snyman; Peter O’Mahony, Alex Kendellen, Gavin Coombes. Replacements: Scott Buckley, Josh Wycherley, Keynan Knox, Fineen Wycherley, Jack O’Donoghue, Craig Casey, Ben Healy, Keith Earls.