Munster Rugby name side to face Stade Francais in first round of Champions Cup

MUNSTER Rugby have announced their team to face Stade Francais in tomorrow afternoon's Investec Champions Cup in Thomond Park.

Shane Daly starts at full-back on his 100th appearance for Munster with Diarmuid Barron captaining the side in the Champions Cup for the first time.

Academy lock Evan O’Connell keeps his place to start on his Champions Cup debut with Academy prop Kieran Ryan set for his first European appearance off the bench.

Daly comes into the side as one of five changes to the starting XV that beat Emirates Lions last week.

Returning internationals Calvin Nash, Jack Crowley, Craig Casey and Peter O’Mahony all start with Tadhg Beirne among the replacements.

Short-term signing Dian Bleuler, Tom Farrell and Thaakir Abrahams start on their first Champions Cup appearances for Munster.

Daly, Nash and Abrahams form the back three as Alex Nankivell and Tom Farrell continue their centre partnership. Casey and Crowley partner up in the half-backs.

Bleuler, Barron and John Ryan pack down in the front row with O’Connell and Fineen Wycherley completing an unchanged front five. O’Mahony, Alex Kendellen and Gavin Coombes start together in the back row.

Niall Scannell, Kieran Ryan and Stephen Archer provide the front row back-up as Beirne, John Hodnett and Jack O’Donoghue complete the forward cover.

Paddy Patterson and Billy Burns are the backline replacements with Burns set for his first appearance in the Champions Cup for Munster.

On the injury front, Conor Murray was unavailable due to a knock.

MUNSTER: Shane Daly; Calvin Nash, Tom Farrell, Alex Nankivell, Thaakir Abrahams; Jack Crowley, Craig Casey; Dian Bleuler, Diarmuid Barron (C), John Ryan; Evan O’Connell, Fineen Wycherley; Peter O’Mahony, Alex Kendellen, Gavin Coombes.

REPLACEMENTS: Niall Scannell, Kieran Ryan, Stephen Archer, Tadhg Beirne, John Hodnett, Paddy Patterson, Billy Burns, Jack O’Donoghue.