GRAHAM Rowntree has named the Munster team to face Scarlets in Friday night’s URC fixture in Llanelli (Wales), kick-off 7.35pm.
The head coach has made seven changes to the side that beat Crusaders two weeks ago with Mike Haley and RG Snyman back from injury to make their first starts of the season.
Oli Jager, Jeremy Loughman and Conor Murray all come into the starting XV after returning from international duty.
Tom Ahern and Niall Scannell start after missing the Crusaders clash due to injury with Ahern partnering Snyman in the second row.
Twenty-two year-old back-row forward Alex Kendellen captains Munster in the URC for the first time after leading the team against Crusaders.
Three Academy players are included in the squad as 20-year-old Ruadhán Quinn keeps his place for his first start in the URC.
Haley makes his 98th start at full-back for Munster with Seán O’Brien and Shane Daly on either wing.
Murray and Joey Carbery start together in the half-backs as Alex Nankivell and Antoine Frisch continue their centre partnership.
Loughman, Scannell and Jager pack down in the front row with Ahern and Snyman in the engine room.
Quinn, Kendellen and Gavin Coombes complete the starting XV as Coombes returns to his more familiar position of number 8.
Eoghan Clarke, who signed a new contract this week, Josh Wycherley and John Ryan provide the front row back-up.
Fineen Wycherley and Jack O’Sullivan complete the forward cover with O’Sullivan in line for his first URC appearance of the campaign.
Rory Scannell and Academy duo Ethan Coughlan and Shay McCarthy are the backline replacements.
Munster: Mike Haley; Seán O’Brien, Antoine Frisch, Alex Nankivell; Shane Daly; Joey Carbery, Conor Murray; Jeremy Loughman, Niall Scannell, Oli Jager; Tom Ahern, RG Snyman; Ruadhán Quinn, Alex Kendellen (captain), Gavin Coombes.
Replacements: Eoghan Clarke, Josh Wycherley, John Ryan, Fineen Wycherley, Jack O’Sullivan, Ethan Coughlan, Rory Scannell, Shay McCarthy.
