Munster Side To Face All Blacks XV

The Munster team has been named for Saturday’s sold-out clash against the All Blacks XV at Thomond Park (5.30pm).

Pinergy, Munster Rugby’s official energy partner, are the presenting partners for the clash.

Additional seating has been installed at both ends of the ground, increasing the capacity to 26,267.

The game will be exclusively live-streamed on Access Munster, sign up here.

Diarmuid Barron captains Munster with Peter O’Mahony returning to the side for his second appearance of the season after a hamstring injury.

Diarmuid Kilgallen earns his first cap with a start on the left wing with Academy speedster Shay McCarthy on the right wing.

In total, six Academy players are included in the 23-man squad with Evan O’Connell in line for his first Munster cap.

Stephen Archer, Niall Scannell and Rory Scannell are all included in the squad having helped Munster to a famous win over the Māori All Blacks in 2016.

Mike Haley starts at full-back with McCarthy and Kilgallen on either wing.

Ethan Coughlan and Billy Burns start together in the half-backs with Rory Scannell and Tom Farrell in midfield.

John Ryan, Barron and Archer pack down in the front row with Fineen Wycherley and Tom Ahern in the engine room. It will be Ahern’s 50th Munster appearance.

O’Mahony, Hodnett and Gavin Coombes complete the side.

Niall Scannell and Academy props Kieran Ryan and Ronan Foxe provide the front row back-up.

Academy duo O’Connell and Ruadhán Quinn complete the forward cover.

Paddy Patterson, Tony Butler and Academy back three player Ben O’Connor are the backline replacements.

Patterson is in line for his first appearance since New Year’s Day as he returns from a long-term knee injury with O’Connor set for his first appearance of the season.

See full event info here.

Munster: Mike Haley; Shay McCarthy, Tom Farrell, Rory Scannell, Diarmuid Kilgallen; Billy Burns, Ethan Coughlan; John Ryan, Diarmuid Barron (C), Stephen Archer; Fineen Wycherley, Tom Ahern; Peter O’Mahony, John Hodnett, Gavin Coombes.

Replacements: Niall Scannell, Kieran Ryan, Ronan Foxe, Evan O’Connell, Ruadhán Quinn, Paddy Patterson, Tony Butler, Ben O’Connor.