Munster Side To Face Bath

The Munster team has been named for Saturday’s Investec Champions Cup opener against Bath at The Rec (8pm, live on Premier Sports).

Munster host Gloucester at SuperValu Páirc Ui Chaoimh on Saturday week in our first Champions Cup home fixture of the campaign. Kick-off is at 5.30pm with limited tickets remaining here.

There are five changes to the side that faced DHL Stormers last week.

Summer arrivals Dan Kelly and JJ Hanrahan come into the backline with Kelly set for his first Champions Cup appearance for Munster.

Michael Milne, Jean Kleyn and John Hodnett start in the pack with Kleyn back from international duty with the Springboks.

Michael Ala’alatoa is set for his Munster debut as a replacement after joining until the end of the season from Clermont Auvergne. Fellow replacement Alex Kendellen, who made his return from injury for UCC last week, is set for his first appearance since the URC round one win over Scarlets in September.

Shane Daly, Diarmuid Kilgallen and Thaakir Abrahams start in an unchanged back three with Kelly and Tom Farrell in midfield.

Craig Casey and Hanrahan start in the half-backs.

Milne, Diarmuid Barron and John Ryan pack down in the front row as Kleyn and Tom Ahern start in the engine room. Milne makes his first Champions Cup appearance for Munster.

Captain Tadhg Beirne, Hodnett and Gavin Coombes are in the back row.

Lee Barron, Jeremy Loughman and Ala’alatoa provide the front row back-up with Edwin Edogbo, Ruadhán Quinn and Kendellen completing the forward cover. Lee Barron, Edogbo and Quinn are in line for their Champions Cup debuts.

Ethan Coughlan and Alex Nankivell are the backline replacements.

Munster Rugby: Shane Daly; Diarmuid Kilgallen, Tom Farrell, Dan Kelly, Thaakir Abrahams; JJ Hanrahan, Craig Casey; Michael Milne, Diarmuid Barron, John Ryan; Jean Kleyn, Tom Ahern; Tadhg Beirne (C), John Hodnett, Gavin Coombes.

Replacements: Lee Barron, Jeremy Loughman, Michael Ala’alatoa, Edwin Edogbo, Ruadhán Quinn, Ethan Coughlan, Alex Nankivell, Alex Kendellen.

Unavailable for selection this week:

Jack Crowley (ankle) – estimated return to play in one to two weeks.

Calvin Nash (shoulder) – estimated return to play in one to two weeks.

Andrew Smith (knee/hamstring) – estimated return to play in one to two weeks.

Jack O’Donoghue (concussion) – following return-to-play protocols.

Brian Gleeson (elbow) – will return in four weeks.

Oli Jager (head) – targeting a return in January.