Return of Internationals a boost to Munster

03/29/2025 10:00 AM

SEVERAL Internationals return to Munster duty for today's hugely anticipated URC Derby with Connacht at MacHale Park in Castlebar, County Mayo (2.30pm).

Captain Tadhg Beirne, Jack Crowley and Calvin Nash all start.

Replacement Conor Murray is also back from Ireland camp and is set for his landmark 200th Munster appearance.

Oli Jager and Craig Casey return from injury and are named in the starting XV with Jean Kleyn and Niall Scannell also returning in the replacements.

Casey makes his first appearance since December with Kleyn in line for his first game since October.

Academy full-back Ben O'Connor, Calvin Nash, and Seán O'Brien start together in the back three.

Alex Nankivell and Tom Farrell continue their centre partnership for the third successive game with Casey and Crowley starting together in the half-backs.

Jeremy Loughman, Diarmuid Barron, and Jager pack down in the front row with Fineen Wycherley and Beirne in the engine room.

Tom Ahern, John Hodnett, and Gavin Coombes complete the side.

On the injury front, Peter O'Mahony didn't train fully this week due to a knock.

Thaakir Abrahams and Jack O'Donoghue returned to training this week and are working their way back to full fitness.

Billy Burns was unavailable due to a shoulder injury.

Munster: Ben O'Connor; Calvin Nash, Tom Farrell, Alex Nankivell, Seán O'Brien; Jack Crowley, Craig Casey; Jeremy Loughman, Diarmuid Barron, Oli Jager; Fineen Wycherley, Tadhg Beirne, captain; Tom Ahern, John Hodnett, Gavin Coombes.

Replacements: Niall Scannell, Josh Wycherley, Stephen Archer, Jean Kleyn, Ruadhán Quinn, Conor Murray, Rory Scannell, Alex Kendellen.

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