Munster team: British and Irish Lions star and Springboks hopeful return as Clayton McMillan rolls out the changes
Tadhg Beirne (right) and Thaakir Abrahams (left) are among 10 changes for Munster this weekend
Munster head coach Clayton McMillan has named his strongest possible side to venture to Sandy Park to face Exeter Chiefs, with 10 changes to his squad from their defeat to the Bulls.
British and Irish Lions and Ireland star Tadhg Beirne is the headline returnee in the 23, with the skipper making his first club appearance since returning from Six Nations duty, and he is joined by the likes of Thaakir Abrahams, Ireland pair Edwin Edogbo and Jeremy Loughman as new starters.
The clash in the English South West is Munster’s first in the EPCR Challenge Cup this season, with the Limerick-based side demoted from the of the Investec Champions Cup pool stages after finishing fifth in group two.
Munster make 10 changes for Exeter clash
Ben O’Connor continues at full-back this time out, with wingers Abrahams and Diarmuid Kilgallen joining him in the back-three. Tom Farrell starts at 13, while Alex Nankivell makes his 50th appearance for the province at inside centre. Jack Crowley and Craig Casey continue in the halves.
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Gavin Coombes and Jack O’Donoghue form a new-look back-row combination alongside Alex Kendellen, while the aforementioned Beirne and Edogbo start in the locks. John Ryan, Lee Barron and Loughman get the nod in the front-row.
Munster boss McMillan has also opted for a 6:2 split on the bench, with Niall Scannell, Michael Milne, Michael Ala’alatoa, Tom Ahern, Ruadhán Quinn and John Hodnett the forward options while Ben O’Donovan and Seán O’Brien will cover the backline.
Exeter will name their team on Friday afternoon.
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Munster team v Exeter Chiefs in full
Munster: 15 Ben O’Connor, 14 Thaakir Abrahams, 13 Tom Farrell, 12 Alex Nankivell, 11 Diarmuid Kilgallen, 10 Jack Crowley, 9 Craig Casey, 8 Gavin Coombes, 7 Alex Kendellen, 6 Jack O’Donoghue, 5 Tadhg Beirne (c), 4 Edwin Edogbo, 3 John Ryan, 2 Lee Barron, 1 Jeremy Loughman
Replacements: 16 Niall Scannell, 17 Michael Milne, 18 Michael Ala’alatoa, 19 Tom Ahern, 20 Ruadhán Quinn, 21 Ben O’Donovan, 22 Seán O’Brien, 23 John Hodnett
Venue: Sandy Park
Kick-off: 12:30 BST
Referee: Jeremy Rozier (Fra)
Assistant Referees: Filippo Russo (Ita), Franco Rosella (Ita)
TMO: Herve Lasausa Lespy Labaylett (Fra)
TV: Premier Sports / beIN SPORTS / SuperSport / FloRugby / epcrugby.tv