Munster Rugby name much-changed side to face Glasgow Warriors in URC

THE Munster Rugby side has been named for Friday’s URC Round 13 clash against Glasgow Warriors at Scotstoun, 7.35pm, live on RTE2.

Hooker Diarmuid Barron captains the side with nine changes to the team that were beaten by Edinburgh last time out.

Barron, Seán O’Brien, Andrew Smith, Tony Butler, Paddy Patterson, Jeremy Loughman, Stephen Archer, Alex Kendellen and Gavin Coombes all come into the side.

Smith makes his Munster debut on the wing having joined the province on loan from Connacht earlier this month. A former Ireland 7s and U20s international, Smith made his first Munster appearance in the friendly against Leicester last week.

Loughman returns from a hip injury for his first appearance in almost five months.

Four Academy players are included as Ben O’Connor starts at full-back with Danny Sheahan, Ruadhán Quinn and Gordon Wood among the replacements.

Centre Wood is in line for his Munster debut having impressed against Leicester last week. The Garryowen man came up through the ranks at Ballina Killaloe and St Munchin’s College and made his first senior appearance against Gloucester in pre-season.

Hooker Sheahan is set for his second URC appearance having made his debut against Dragons in January.

O’Connor, O’Brien and Smith form the back three with Alex Nankivell and Tom Farrell starting together in an unchanged midfield partnership.

Patterson and Butler are named in the half-backs after starting together against Leicester last week.

Loughman, Barron and Archer pack down in the front row with Archer making his 297th appearance for Munster.

Fineen Wycherley and Tom Ahern start in the engine room with a back row of Kendellen, John Hodnett and Coombes.

Sheahan, Josh Wycherley, John Ryan, Brian Gleeson and Academy flanker Quinn provide the forward cover.

Ethan Coughlan, Wood and Rory Scannell are the backline replacements with Scannell set for his 197th Munster appearance.

Billy Burns, Niall Scannell and Oli Jager were unavailable due to knocks.

MUNSTER RUGBY: Ben O’Connor; Seán O’Brien, Tom Farrell, Alex Nankivell, Andrew Smith; Tony Butler, Paddy Patterson; Jeremy Loughman, Diarmuid Barron (Capt), Stephen Archer; Fineen Wycherley, Tom Ahern; Alex Kendellen, John Hodnett. Gavin Coombes. Replacements: Danny Sheahan, Josh Wycherley, John Ryan, Brian Gleeson, Ruadhán Quinn, Ethan Coughlan, Gordon Wood, Rory Scannell.