Much-changed Munster Rugby side to host Zebre at Thomond Park named

THE Munster Rugby team has been named for Saturday’s crucial United Rugby Championship Round 12 clash against Zebre at Thomond Park.

The game kicks off at 5.30pm and is live on Premier Sports 1

Flanker Jack O’Donoghue captains Munster, with the starting line-up shpwing 10 changes to the side that lost out to Glasgow Warriors at Scotstoun last month.

Returning Ireland internationals Tom Farrell and Michael Milne both start with Edwin Edogbo among the replacements.

In the backline, Calvin Nash, Farrell, JJ Hanrahan and Paddy Patterson all come into the side.

Milne, Niall Scannell, Michael Ala’alatoa, Jean Kleyn, Gavin Coombes and O’Donoghue join the pack.

Mike Haley, Nash and Shane Daly start in the back three with Nash returning from the shoulder injury he sustained against Toulon last month.

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Dan Kelly, who was on Ireland XV duty earlier this month, and Farrell partner up in midfield.

JJ Hanrahan returns from a hamstring injury to start at out-half with scrum-half Paddy Patterson starting on his 50th appearance for the province.

Milne, Scannell and Ala’alatoa pack down in the front row with Kleyn and Fineen Wycherley starting in the engine room. Ala’alatoa makes his 10th appearance for the province since making his debut at the beginning of December.

Coombes, O’Donoghue and Gleeson start in the back row.

Lee Barron, Josh Wycherley and John Ryan provide the front row back-up with Edogbo and Alex Kendellen completing the forward cover. Kendellen is set for his first appearance in eight weeks after sustaining an ankle injury last month.

Ethan Coughlan, Academy out-half Tom Wood and Seán O’Brien are the backline replacements. 20-year-old Wood is set for his second Munster appearance after making his debut against Glasgow last month and helping the Ireland U20s to two wins in three 6 Nations games over the past three weeks.

MUNSTER RUGBY: Mike Haley (Preston Grasshoppers/Hartpury College); Calvin Nash (Young Munster RFC/Crescent College Comp), Tom Farrell (Coolmine RFC/Castleknock College), Dan Kelly (Rochdale Rugby Union/Kirkham Grammar), Shane Daly (Highfield RFC/PBC); JJ Hanrahan (Castleisland RFC/Rockwell College), Paddy Patterson (Blackrock College); Michael Milne (Birr RFC/Cistercian College Roscrea), Niall Scannell (PBC/Dolphin RFC), Michael Ala’alatoa (West Harbour RFC); Jean Kleyn (Hoërskool Linden), Fineen Wycherley (Bantry Bay RFC/Cistercian College Roscrea); Gavin Coombes (Skibbereen RFC/Bandon Grammar), Jack O’Donoghue (C) (Waterpark RFC), Brian Gleeson (Thurles RFC/Rockwell College). Replacements: Lee Barron (Lansdowne RFC/St Michael’s College), Josh Wycherley (Bantry Bay RFC/Cistercian College Roscrea), John Ryan (Muskerry RFC/CBC), Edwin Edogbo (Cobh Pirates RFC), Alex Kendellen (PBC), Ethan Coughlan (Ennis RFC), Tom Wood (Ballina Killaloe RFC/St Munchin’s College), Seán O’Brien (Mullingar RFC).