Advertisement
Sport

Munster side to face Connacht named

Mar 28, 2025 12:36
By radiokerrysport
Share this article
Munster side to face Connacht named

The Munster side has been named for Saturday’s URC Round 14 Interpro derby against Connacht at Hastings Insurance MacHale Park.

There are five changes to the side that faced Glasgow Warriors last week.

Captain Tadhg Beirne, Jack Crowley and Calvin Nash all start as they return from international duty.

Advertisement

Replacement Conor Murray is also back from Ireland camp and is set for his landmark 200th Munster appearance. Murray will become just the 15th player to reach the landmark and has also played 125 times for Ireland and earned eight Test caps for the British & Irish Lions.

Oli Jager and Craig Casey return from injury and are named in the starting XV with Jean Kleyn and Niall Scannell also returning in the replacements.

Casey makes his first appearance since December with Kleyn in line for his first game since October.

Advertisement

Academy full-back Ben O’Connor, Calvin Nash and Seán O’Brien start together in the back three. 20-year-old O’Connor makes his fifth successive start with O’Brien scoring three tries in two appearances since returning from injury earlier this month.

Alex Nankivell and Tom Farrell continue their centre partnership for the third successive game with Casey and Crowley starting together in the half-backs. Farrell has started all 18 games so far this season, scoring eight tries.

Jeremy Loughman, Diarmuid Barron and Jager pack down in the front row with Fineen Wycherley and Beirne in the engine room.

Advertisement

Tom Ahern, John Hodnett and Gavin Coombes complete the side.

Niall Scannell, Josh Wycherley, Stephen Archer, Kleyn, Academy flanker Ruadhán Quinn and Alex Kendellen provide the forward cover.

Murray and Rory Scannell are the backline replacements.

Advertisement

On the injury front, Peter O’Mahony didn’t train fully this week due to a knock.

Thaakir Abrahams and Jack O’Donoghue returned to training this week and are working their way back to full fitness.

Billy Burns was unavailable due to a shoulder injury.

Advertisement

Munster Rugby: Ben O’Connor; Calvin Nash, Tom Farrell, Alex Nankivell, Seán O’Brien; Jack Crowley, Craig Casey; Jeremy Loughman, Diarmuid Barron, Oli Jager; Fineen Wycherley, Tadhg Beirne (C); Tom Ahern, John Hodnett, Gavin Coombes.

Replacements: Niall Scannell, Josh Wycherley, Stephen Archer, Jean Kleyn, Ruadhán Quinn, Conor Murray, Rory Scannell, Alex Kendellen.

Connacht have welcomed four Irish internationals back to their team for Saturday's visit of Munster to Castlebar in the United Rugby Championship.

Cian Prendergast captains the side from blind-side with Finlay Bealham coming into the front-row, Bundee Aki starts at inside-centre and Mack Hansen on the wing.

===

Leinster head coach Leo Cullen has handed a first start to Fintan Gunne for their game at the Sharks tomorrow.

Ciarán Frawley starts at out-half with Max Deegan captaining the team from number-eight.

===

Kingspan Stadium in Belfast is the venue for Ulster's meeting with the Stormers tonight.

Kick off is at 7.35.

Tags used in this article
Advertisement

RadioKerry Newsletter

Sign up now to keep up to date with the latest news.

Processing your request...

You are subscribed now! please check your email to confirm your subscription.

Maine Street,
Tralee V92 AP2W,
Co. Kerry,
Ireland

Download RadioKerry App Today

Copyright © 2026 Raidio Ciarrai Teoranta. Developed by Square1 and Powered by PublisherPlus