Munster is set to face Edinburgh in a United Rugby Championship (URC) Round 3 clash at Virgin Media Park in Cork. The match, scheduled for Friday night, has already generated significant buzz with over 8,000 tickets sold. Here's a breakdown of the team news and what to expect.
Munster's Lineup: Fresh Faces and Returning Stars
Head Coach has made 10 changes to the side that secured a victory against Cardiff last week. Tom Farrell is set to make his first appearance of the season, a welcome return for last season's Player of the Year. Other players making their first appearances this season include Calvin Nash, Andrew Smith, and Michael Milne.
Captain Diarmuid Barron, Mike Haley, Seán O’Brien, JJ Hanrahan, Paddy Patterson, and Jack O’Donoghue also rejoin the starting lineup, bolstering Munster's squad with experience and talent.
Edwin Edogbo is in line for his first appearance since December 2023 after recovering from injury, adding depth to the forward pack. John Ryan is also set for his first appearance of the season.
Key Players to Watch
The back three will consist of Haley, Nash, and Smith, while O’Brien and Farrell will form the midfield partnership. Patterson and Hanrahan will start as the half-backs, orchestrating Munster's attack.
Milne, Barron, and Oli Jager will pack down in the front row, with Jean Kleyn and Fineen Wycherley continuing their partnership in the engine room. Jack O’Donoghue, Ruadhán Quinn, and Gavin Coombes complete the starting XV.
- Forwards: Michael Milne, Diarmuid Barron (C), Oli Jager, Jean Kleyn, Fineen Wycherley, Jack O’Donoghue, Ruadhán Quinn, Gavin Coombes
- Backs: Mike Haley, Calvin Nash, Tom Farrell, Seán O’Brien, Andrew Smith, JJ Hanrahan, Paddy Patterson
Casey to Miss Croke Park Clash?
In related news, Munster coach Clayton McMillan has indicated that Craig Casey is unlikely to feature in the upcoming Croke Park clash with Leinster. The scrum-half is recovering from a thigh injury and the risk of jeopardizing his involvement with Ireland is deemed too high.
Don't miss the action! Tune in to see if Munster can maintain their winning streak against Edinburgh.