Return of captain Tadhg Beirne among 10 changes to Munster rugby team to play Exeter Chiefs

THE Munster team has been named for Saturday’s Challenge Cup round of 16 clash against Exeter Chiefs.

There are 10 changes to the side that secured two bonus-points in the loss to Bulls in South Africa last weekend.

Alex Nankivell makes a landmark 50th appearance for the province having started 45 of his 49 games since joining from the Chiefs in September 2023.

In the backline, wingers Thaakir Abrahams and Diarmuid Kilgallen both start with Tom Farrell returning in midfield.

Alex Kendellen is the only member of the pack retained with an all-new front row of Jeremy Loughman, Lee Barron and John Ryan.

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Edwin Edogbo and captain Tadhg Beirne are named in the engine room with Jack O’Donoghue and Gavin Coombes joining Kendellen in the back row.

Ruadhán Quinn and Ben O’Donovan join the squad as replacements with academy scrum-half O’Donovan in line for his Munster debut after joining from Canterbury in February. Irish-qualified O’Donovan is a former New Zealand U20 international.

Academy full-back Ben O’Connor keeps his place and is joined by Abrahams and Kilgallen in the back three.

Nankivell and Farrell resume their midfield partnership with Craig Casey and Jack Crowley continuing in the half-backs.

Niall Scannell, Michael Milne and Michael Ala’alatoa provide the front row back-up as Tom Ahern, Quinn and John Hodnett complete the forward cover.

O’Donovan and Seán O’Brien are the backline replacements.

MUNSTER: Ben O’Connor; Thaakir Abrahams, Tom Farrell, Alex Nankivell, Diarmuid Kilgallen; Jack Crowley, Craig Casey; Jeremy Loughman, Lee Barron, John Ryan; Edwin Edogbo, Tadhg Beirne; Jack O’Donoghue, Alex Kendellen, Gavin Coombes. Replacements: Niall Scannell, Michael Milne, Michael Ala’alatoa, Tom Ahern, Ruadhán Quinn, Ben O’Donovan, Seán O’Brien, John Hodnett.