Munster Rugby side to face Argentina XV at Thomond Park named

THE Munster Rugby team has been named for Saturday’s international fixture against an Argentina XV at Thomond Park, 5pm.

Jack O’Donoghue leads the side with 11 changes to the starting XV that beat Connacht at Thomond Park last Saturday.

Josh Wycherley and Academy tighthead Ronan Foxe both come into the front row where they are joined by Lee Barron with Foxe earning his first senior start for the province.

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It’s an all new second-row pairing of Conor Ryan and Evan O’Connell with Ryan making his first appearance for Munster and O’Connell earning his first start of the season.

There is just one change to the back-row as captain Jack O’Donoghue and Gavin Coombes keep their places from last week. Ruadhán Quinn comes into the side to join the duo at openside.

There is a new half-back pairing with Paddy Patterson and Tony Butler lining out together while the same applies in the centre with Seán O’Brien taking up the 12 shirt with Fionn Gibbons, making his first Munster start, lining out at outside centre. Gibbons will be making his third Munster appearance.

Diarmuid Kilgallen keeps his spot on the right wing after he made a successful return from injury last weekend while Shay McCarthy takes up his place on the left wing and Mike Haley return to the fray at full-back.

There are four members of the Academy among the replacements; Max Clein, Luke Murphy, Jake O’Riordan and Ben O’Connor.

Both Clein and Murphy are in line for their first senior Munster appearances. Elsewhere, Mark Donnelly and Kieran Ryan are the prop cover with Fineen Wycherley and JJ Hanrahan providing experience at second-row and out-half.

Including this upcoming fixture and the first five rounds of the URC, 47 different players have been named in matchday squads.

MUNSTER RUGBY: Mike Haley; Diarmuid Kilgallen, Fionn Gibbons, Seán O’Brien, Shay McCarthy; Tony Butler, Paddy Patterson; Josh Wycherley, Lee Barron, Ronan Foxe; Conor Ryan, Evan O’Connell; Jack O’Donoghue (Capt), Ruadhán Quinn, Gavin Coombes. Replacements: Max Clein, Mark Donnelly, Kieran Ryan, Fineen Wycherley, Luke Murphy, Jake O’Riordan, JJ Hanrahan, Ben O’Connor.

Unavailable for selection this week:

Niall Scannell (HIA) – Following Return-To-Play Protocols

Thaakir Abrahams (HIA) – Following Return-To-Play Protocols

Edwin Edogbo (HIA) – Following Return-To-Play Protocols

Oli Jager (HIA) – Following Return-To-Play Protocols

John Hodnett (Foot) – Estimated Return To Play – Stormers / End of November

Calvin Nash (Shoulder) – Estimated Return To Play – Stormers / End of November

Conor Bartley (Hamstring) – Estimated Return To Play – Stormers / End of November

Diarmuid Barron (Neck) – Estimated Return To Play – Stormers / End of November

Alex Kendellen (Ankle) – Estimated Return To Play – Stormers / End of November

Brian Gleeson (Elbow) – Estimated Return To Play – 8-10 Weeks

Andrew Smith (Knee/Hamstring) – Estimated Return To Play – 8-10 Weeks