Munster Rugby announce side to face Leinster in Croke Park

THE MUNSTER RUGBY squad has been named for Saturday’s URC round four clash against Leinster at Croke Park (5.15pm, live on TG4 & Premier Sports).

For the second game in succession, there are 10 changes to the side.

Last Friday’s bonus-point victory over Edinburgh at Virgin Media Park saw Munster make it three wins to start the season, collecting 14 of the 15 available points.

Munster captain Tadhg Beirne starts in the back row on his first appearance of the season after winning the Player of the Series award for the British and Irish Lions in the summer. He becomes the 36th player to feature for the province so far this season.

Edwin Edogbo makes his first start since December 2023 after a successful return from injury as a replacement against Edinburgh last week.

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Shane Daly, Thaakir Abrahams, Dan Kelly, Jack Crowley and Ethan Coughlan all come into the backline.

Along with Beirne and Edogbo, John Ryan, Jack O’Donoghue and Brian Gleeson join the pack.

Daly, Andrew Smith and Abrahams start in the back three with Kelly and last week’s Player of the Match Tom Farrell in midfield.

Coughlan and Crowley pair up in the half-backs.

Two-try Michael Milne keeps his place at loosehead along with hooker Diarmuid Barron as Ryan completes the front row.

Edogbo and Fineen Wycherley start together in the engine room with Wycherley making his fourth successive start.

Beirne, O’Donoghue and Gleeson form the back row.

Lee Barron, Jeremy Loughman and Academy prop Ronan Foxe provide the front row back-up with Jean Kleyn and Gavin Coombes completing the forward cover.

Paddy Patterson, JJ Hanrahan and Alex Nankivell are the backline replacements.

Munster Rugby: Shane Daly; Andrew Smith, Tom Farrell, Dan Kelly, Thaakir Abrahams; Jack Crowley, Ethan Coughlan; Michael Milne, Diarmuid Barron, John Ryan; Edwin Edogbo, Fineen Wycherley; Tadhg Beirne (C), Jack O’Donoghue, Brian Gleeson.

Replacements: Lee Barron, Jeremy Loughman, Ronan Foxe, Jean Kleyn, Gavin Coombes, Paddy Patterson, JJ Hanrahan, Alex Nankivell.