Much-changed Munster Rugby side to face Bulls in URC clash in Pretoria

THE Munster Rugby team has been named for Saturday's URC Round 14 clash against Vodacom Bulls at Loftus Versfeld, 12 noon Irish time, live on TG4 and Premier Sports 1.

There are eight changes to the side that were beaten heavily by Sharks in Durban last week. Ireland scrum-half Craig Casey captains Munster for the second time after leading the province in the season opener against Scarlets last September.

Hooker Diarmuid Barron starts on his 100th appearance for the province having made his debut in September 2018 away to Cardiff.

Returning Ireland internationals Casey, out-half Jack Crowley and prop Jeremy Loughman are all included in the matchday 23.

Crowley, Casey, Academy full-back Ben O’Connor, Dan Kelly and Seán O’Brien all come into the backline.

Fineen Wycherley, Alex Kendellen and Brian Gleeson start in the pack with Tom Ahern moving to the back row.

O’Connor, Calvin Nash and O’Brien are named in the back three with Alex Nankivell and Kelly starting together in midfield.

Ireland internationals Casey and Crowley form the half-back pairing.

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Michael Milne, Barron and Michael Ala’alatoa pack down in the front row.

Jean Kleyn and Wycherley start in the engine room with Ahern, Kendellen and Gleeson starting in the back row.

Nill Scannell, Jeremy Loughman and John Ryan provide the front row back-up with Edwin Edogbo, Gavin Coombes and John Hodnett completing the forward cover.

Paddy Patterson and JJ Hanrahan are the backline replacements.

On the injury front, Shane Daly and Tom Farrell followed modified training weeks due to knocks. Mike Haley (groin) was unavailable for selection.

MUNSTER RUGBY: Ben O’Connor; Calvin Nash, Dan Kelly, Alex Nankivell, Seán O’Brien; Jack Crowley, Craig Casey (Capt); Michael Milne, Diarmuid Barron, Michael Ala’alatoa; Jean Kleyn, Fineen Wycherley; Tom Ahern, Alex Kendellen, Brian Gleeson. Replacements: Niall Scannell, Jeremy Loughman, John Ryan, Edwin Edogbo, Gavin Coombes, Paddy Patterson, JJ Hanrahan, John Hodnett.