Two debuts as Munster Rugby name team for URC clash with Sharks
Academy centre Gordon Wood makes his first start for Munster on his fourth appearance for the province
MUNSTER Rugby have named two debutants in their side to take on the Sharks in Saturday’s United Rugby Championship (URC) clash.
The 5.30pm Halloween kick-off at Thomond Park is live on Premier Sports.
Academy centre Gordon Wood makes his first start for Munster on his fourth appearance for the province.
Wood is the son of Munster and Ireland legend Keith.
Former Leinster winger Rob Russell starts on the wing for his Munster debut. The 27-year-old lined out with Gloucester in the Prem last season having previously scored 18 tries in 35 appearances for Leinster.
Ben O’Donovan, JJ Hanrahan, Evan O’Connell, Seán Edogbo and Brian Gleeson also come into the starting XV.
Replacements Edwin Edogbo and Lee Barron are in line for their first appearances of the campaign after returning from injury.
Munster head coach Clayton McMillan said: “We are looking forward to a huge challenge in front of our supporters at Thomond Park.
“The Sharks have made an excellent start to the season and enjoyed two big wins on the road over the past two weekends.
“We are eager to finish off the first block of fixtures with a committed, quality performance at home.
“We were clear around what we wanted to improve in the summer – the scrum, our maul, our phase, our attack. There’s been lots of subtle changes and we feel like we’re going in the right direction.”
The New Zealander also spoke about the two making their first starts in Limerick at the weekend.
“It will be a special day for Gordy Wood making his first start for his home province as part of an exciting young backline. He is an impressive young man and we’re looking forward to seeing what he can do.
“Rob Russell has been training with us for the past few weeks off the back of some really good performances in the AIL. He has a good pedigree in the professional game and has really impressed us since coming in.
“We are starting to get some bodies back from injury and it’s good to see Edwin Edogbo and Lee Barron back in the mix this week after missing the opening months of the season.”
MUNSTER: Ben O’Connor; Shay McCarthy, Gordon Wood, Alex Nankivell, Rob Russell; JJ Hanrahan, Ben O’Donovan; Josh Wycherley, Marnus van der Merwe, Kieran Brookes; Evan O’Connell, Fineen Wycherley; Seán Edogbo, Jack O’Donoghue, Brian Gleeson.