Munster Rugby side to face Scarlets in United Rugby Championship opener named

THE Munster Rugby side has been named for Saturday’s United Rugby Championship opener against Scarlets at Parc y Scarlets (5.30pm, live on Premier Sports).

Scrum-half Craig Casey leads Munster as captain for the first time with Niall Scannell starting on his 200th appearance for the province.

Dan Kelly makes his Munster debut after joining from Leicester Tigers with JJ Hanrahan starting at out-half having returned to his home province in the summer.

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Jean Kleyn has fully recovered from the knee injury he sustained on international duty with the Springboks and starts in the second row.

Five of Munster’s Ireland internationals who were on the summer tour are included. Casey and Alex Kendellen both start with Tom Ahern, Gavin Coombes and Jack Crowley among the replacements.

Young Munster clubman Conor Bartley is in line for his Munster debut off the bench having joining the province last season after impressing in the AIL.

Mike Haley, Shane Daly and Thaakir Abrahams make up the back three with Alex Nankivell and Kelly forming a new-look centre partnership.

Captain Casey, who led Ireland on the summer tour, and Hanrahan start together in the half-backs for the first time since Munster’s win away to Edinburgh in February 2021.

Jeremy Loughman, Scannell and Oli Jager pack down in the front row with Kleyn and Fineen Wycherley in the engine room.

Jack O’Donoghue, Alex Kendellen and Brian Gleeson start in the back row.

Lee Barron, Josh Wycherley and Bartley provide the front row back-up with Ahern and Coombes completing the forward cover.

Paddy Patterson, Crowley and Seán O’Brien are the backline replacements.

MUNSTER RUGBY: Mike Haley: Shane Daly, Dan Kelly, Alex Nankivell, Thaakir Abrahams; JJ Hanrahan, Craig Casey (C); Jeremy Loughman, Niall Scannell, Oli Jager; Jean Kleyn, Fineen Wycherley; Jack O’Donoghue, Alex Kendellen, Brian Gleeson. Replacements: Lee Barron, Josh Wycherley, Conor Bartley, Tom Ahern, Gavin Coombes, Paddy Patterson, Jack Crowley, Seán O’Brien.

Unavailable for selection this week:

Tom Farrell (calf)

John Hodnett (cheek)

Diarmuid Kilgallen (ankle)

Michael Milne (calf)

John Ryan (elbow)

Andrew Smith (chest)

All the above are considered short- to medium-term injuries.

Roman Salanoa (knee) is increasing his training exposure.