Munster side to face Glasgow Warriors at Thomond

The Munster team has been named for Saturday’s URC opener against Glasgow Warriors at Thomond Park.

New front row signings Kieran Brookes and Marnus van Merwe are both included for their Munster debuts as Brookes starts at tighthead with hooker van der Merwe among the replacements.

Academy half-backs Jake O’Riordan and Charlie O’Shea, both try-scorers in the pre-season clash with Leicester Tigers last week, are named in the replacements.

UCC clubman O’Shea is set for his Munster debut just over a month since joining the Academy. A former Dolphin RFC underage player, 20-year-old O’Shea captained CBC to the Pinergy Munster Schools Senior Cup title in 2025.

21-year-old scrum-half Ben O'Donovan makes his first start for the province having impressed since joining the Academy in February.

Mike Haley, Diarmuid Kilgallen and recent Academy graduate Ben O’Connor start in the back three.

Seán O’Brien and last year’s Player of the Year Alex Nankivell partner up in the centres with O’Donovan and JJ Hanrahan in the half-backs. 

Michael Milne, Diarmuid Barron and Brookes pack down in the front row with Evan O’Connell and Fineen Wycherley in the engine room.

A back row of Jack O’Donoghue, Alex Kendellen and Gavin Coombes completes the starting XV.

Van der Merwe, Josh Wycherley and Michael Ala’alatoa provide the front row back-up as Brian Gleeson and John Hodnett complete the forward cover.

O’Riordan, O’Shea and Dan Kelly are the backline replacements. 

Head Coach Clayton McMillan said: “There is always an extra bit of excitement and anticipation ahead of the first game of the season and the players are itching to get back on the pitch at Thomond Park.

“It has been a really positive few months and the highlight for us was probably getting out into the community for the training sessions in Thurles, Newcastle West and Ballina-Killaloe. The welcome we received from the three clubs was second to none and having so many supporters come out to watch training made those days really special.

“The players have worked hard over pre-season and now it’s their opportunity to show that on the field against one of the best teams in the URC.

“We have three players set for their Munster debuts in Kieran, Marnus and Charlie – they are all at different stages of their careers but it’s always special making your debut so we want to make it a memorable one for them. 

“Ben O’Donovan will make his first start at scrum-half and he has really taken his chance since joining our Academy at the start of the year.

“We have two young Academy half-backs in the replacements in Jake and Charlie. For Charlie in particular, he has had a whirlwind few weeks since joining us but he has taken it all in his stride.

“Shane Daly and Tom Ahern were not available this week due to injury but are progressing positively.”

Munster Rugby: Mike Haley; Diarmuid Kilgallen, Alex Nankivell, Seán O’Brien, Ben O’Connor; JJ Hanrahan, Ben O’Donovan; Michael Milne, Diarmuid Barron (C), Kieran Brookes; Evan O’Connell, Fineen Wycherley; Jack O’Donoghue, Alex Kendellen, Gavin Coombes.

Replacements: Marnus van der Merwe, Josh Wycherley, Michael Ala’alatoa, Brian Gleeson, John Hodnett, Jake O’Riordan, Charlie O’Shea, Dan Kelly.