Updated / Friday, 22 Dec 2023 13:33
Simon Zebo, Dave Kilcoyne and Oli Jager will all start for Munster in the URC Interpro derby against Leinster at Thomond Park on St Stephen’s Day (7.35pm, live on RTÉ2/Player).
There are four personnel changes altogether and one positional switch to the side beaten 32-24 by Exeter Chiefs last week.
Tighthead prop Jager makes his first start for Munster on his third appearance for the province and Dave Kilcoyne joins Jager in the front row on his first start of the campaign. Hooker Diarmuid Barron captains the side and packs down with Kilcoyne and Jager in the front row.
Simon Zebo comes into the side at full-back for his second appearance of the season with Shane Daly moving to the left wing. Calvin Nash keeps his place on the right wing with the centre and half-back partnerships unchanged. Scrum-half Craig Casey and out-half Jack Crowley start together once again with Alex Nankivell and Antoine Frisch in midfield.
Academy lock Edwin Edogbo returns from injury to take his place in the second row alongside Gavin Coombes. Coombes is set for his 10th appearance of the campaign, having started all of Munster’s games so far this year. The back row of Tom Ahern, John Hodnett and Jack O’Donoghue is unchanged.
Eoghan Clarke, Jeremy Loughman and Stephen Archer are the front row replacements with Academy back-row Brian Gleeson and Alex Kendellen completing the forward cover. Paddy Patterson, academy out-half Tony Butler and Seán O’Brien are the backline replacements.
In line with IRFU player management guidelines, Tadhg Beirne and Conor Murray were unavailable for selection having featured in all five games since returning from international duty. The duo also played in all five matches of Ireland’s Rugby World Cup campaign in France.
Munster: Simon Zebo; Calvin Nash, Antoine Frisch, Alex Nankivell, Shane Daly; Jack Crowley, Craig Casey; Dave Kilcoyne, Diarmuid Barron (C), Oli Jager; Edwin Edogbo, Gavin Coombes; Tom Ahern,John Hodnett, Jack O’Donoghue.
Replacements: Eoghan Clarke, Jeremy Loughman, Stephen Archer, Brian Gleeson, Alex Kendellen, Paddy Patterson, Tony Butler, Seán O’Brien.
James Ryan and Caelan Doris may be rested but coach Leo Cullen has named a strong Leinster side for their trip to Limerick.
Garry Ringrose captains the team, in a lineup that sees seven of the players who started last month’s win against Munster at the Aviva Stadium feature once more.
Hugo Keenan, Jordan Larmour and Rob Russell form the back three. Ringrose is joined in the centre by Ciarán Frawley.
Harry Byrne returns to the starting line up, having missed the Sale Sharks win. He partners Jamison Gibson-Park in the half-backs.
In the pack, there is over 700 Leinster caps worth of experience, with four centurions starting the game.
Andrew Porter, Rónan Kelleher and Michael Ala’alatoa are in the front row, with Ross Molony and Joe McCarthy packing down behind them.
Max Deegan, Scott Penny and Jack Conan complete the pack.
Among the replacements, there is a welcome return from injury for Luke McGrath. The scrum-half last featured in the season opener away to Glasgow Warriors.
Leinster: Hugo Keenan; Jordan Larmour, Garry Ringrose (capt), Ciará Frawley, Rob Russell; Harry Byrne, Jamison Gibson-Park; Andrew Porter, Rónan Kelleher, Michael Ala’alatoa; Ross Molony, Joe McCarthy; Max Deegan, Scott Penny, Jack Conan.
Replacements: Dan Sheehan, Ed Byrne, Thomas Clarkson, Jason Jenkins, Ryan Baird, Luke McGrath, Liam Turner, Will Connors.
Watch Munster v Leinster in the URC on St Stephen’s Day from 7pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player, follow a live blog on www.rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app and listen to live commentary on RTÉ Radio 1
Watch Leinster v Ulster in the URC on New Year’s Day from 4.45pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player, follow a live blog on www.rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app and listen to live commentary on RTÉ Radio 1