MUNSTER head coach Graham Rowntree has rang the changes in his selection to face table-toppers Leinster in their United Rugby Championship clash at the Aviva Stadium tomorrow at 5.15pm.
The starting team shows eight changes from the side that secured a bonus-point win against Bulls at Thomond Park last Saturday.
Peter O’Mahony has been ruled-out through injury, but Rowntree confirmed that he will link up with the Ireland squad next week.
The backline now sees Jack Crowley, Rory Scannell, and Conor Murray start, with Crowley named at full-back for the first time as Shane Daly moves to the wing.
Jack O’Donoghue, Diarmuid Barron, Keynan Knox, Tom Ahern, and John Hodnett all come into the pack.
Ahern, Barron, Crowley, Hodnett, and Scannell will all see their first start of the season.
RTÉ rugby pundit Donal Lenihan commented: “I’m really excited to see the selection because I think Jack Crowley and Joey Carbery, when Rowntree can get both of them on the field, offer a twin play-making axis which worked well last week”.
Munster: Jack Crowley, Shane Daly, Dan Goggin, Rory Scannell, Liam Coombes, Joey Carbery, Conor Murray, Jeremy Loughman, Diarmuid Barron, Keynan Knox, Jean Kleyn, Tom Ahern, Jack O’Donoghue (captain), John Hodnett, Gavin Coombes.
Replacements: Scott Buckley, Dave Kilcoyne, James French, Jack O’Sullivan, Ruadhan Quinn, Paddy Patterson, Ben Healy, Patrick Campbell.
Leinster: Cian Healy, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furling, Jason Jenkins, James Ryan, Max Deegan, Scott Penny, Caelan Doris, Luke McGrath, Johnny Sexton (captain), Jamie Osborne, Robbie Henshaw, Garry Ringrose, Jimmy O’Brien, Ciaran Frawley.
Replacements: John McKee, Andrew Porter, Michael Ala’alatoa, Ross Molony, Jack Conan, Nick McCarthy, Ross Byrne, Rob Russell.
