Peter O’Mahony makes long-awaited Munster return as ‘devastating’ flanker leads All Blacks XV with SEVEN internationals
Peter O'Mahony starts for Munster against an All Blacks XV that is led by Du'Plessis Kirifi.
Munster return to action for the first time following the departure of Graham Rowntree as they tackle the All Blacks XV in front of over 26,000 at Thomond Park.
The sold-out clash comes after a dramatic few days off the field, with Rowntree’s exit having led to Head of Rugby Operations, Ian Costello, taking interim charge.
Returning to the XV for this weekend’s meeting is veteran Peter O’Mahony and he joins hooker Diarmuid Barron, who captains the side, in the starting line-up.
Six Academy players
Former Connacht player Diarmuid Kilgallen will pick up his first cap for Munster with a start on the left wing with Academy speedster Shay McCarthy on the right.
Joining Kilgallen and McCarthy in the back three is the experienced Mike Haley, who is enjoying an extended injury-free streak in the team after a tough few years.
In total, six Academy players are included in the 23-man squad with Evan O’Connell in line for his first Munster game on what promises to be a special occasion.
Stephen Archer, Niall Scannell and Rory Scannell are all named in Saturday’s squad having helped Munster to a famous win over the Māori All Blacks in 2016.
With Craig Casey, Conor Murray and Jack Crowley with Ireland, Ethan Coughlan and off-season signing from Ulster, Billy Burns, link up as the half-back pairing.
The aforementioned Rory Scannell will join Tom Farrell in midfield as former Chiefs centre Alex Nankivell unfortunately misses the fixture due to a hip problem.
Up front John Ryan, Barron and Archer pack down in the front-row with Fineen Wycherley and Tom Ahern the locks. It will be Ahern’s 50th Munster appearance.
O’Mahony, Hodnett and Gavin Coombes complete the starting XV as Niall Scannell and Academy props Kieran Ryan and Ronan Foxe offer front-row back-up.
Academy duo O’Connell and Ruadhán Quinn will be the forward cover as Paddy Patterson, Tony Butler and Academy player Ben O’Connor complete the squad.
All Blacks XV named
Meanwhile, All Blacks XV head coach Clayton McMillan has named his side for the match and the team will be led by the devastating back-row Du’Plessis Kirifi.
Fresh from a National Provincial Championship title with Wellington, Kirifi is joined in the back-row by blindside Oliver Haig and number eight Devan Flanders.
The second-row is Isaia Walker-Leawere and Fabian Holland while a solid front-row sees George Bower and George Dyer pack down either side of Brodie McAlister.
All Blacks pair Finlay Christie and Harry Plummer link up in the half-backs while another New Zealand international, Quinn Tupeau, joins AJ Lam in the centres.
The starting side is completed by Kini Naholo and Chay Fihaki on the wings while the always impressive Shaun Stevenson dons the number 15 jersey for the fixture.
Exciting new All Black Ruben Love will be a player to watch coming off the bench where he is joined by another New Zealand international, scrum-half Noah Hotham.
The teams
Munster: 15 Mike Haley, 14 Shay McCarthy, 13 Tom Farrell, 12 Rory Scannell, 11 Diarmuid Kilgallen, 10 Billy Burns, 9 Ethan Coughlan, 8 Gavin Coombes, 7 John Hodnett, 6 Peter O’Mahony, 5 Tom Ahern, 4 Fineen Wycherley, 3 Stephen Archer, 2 Diarmuid Barron (c), 1 John Ryan
Replacements: 16 Niall Scannell, 17 Kieran Ryan, 18 Ronan Foxe, 19 Evan O’Connell, 20 Ruadhán Quinn, 21 Paddy Patterson, 22 Tony Butler, 23 Ben O’Connor
All Blacks XV: 15 Shaun Stevenson, 14 Chay Fihaki, 13 AJ Lam, 12 Quinn Tupaea, 11 Kini Naholo, 10 Harry Plummer, 9 Finlay Christie, 8 Devan Flanders, 7 Du’Plessis Kirifi (c), 6 Oliver Haig, 5 Fabian Holland, 4 Isaia Walker-Leawere, 3 George Dyer, 2 Brodie McAlister, 1 George Bower
Replacements: 16 Bradley Slater, 17 Xavier Numia, 18 Marcel Renata, 19 Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 20 Corey Kellow, 21 Noah Hotham, 22 Josh Jacomb, 23 Ruben Love
Date: Saturday, November 2
Venue: Thomond Park, Limerick
Kick-off: 17:30 GMT
Referee: Takehito Namekawa (JRFU)
Assistant Referees: Matthew Carley (RFU), Anthony Woodthorpe (RFU)
TMO: Damon Murphy (RA)
