Hodnett returns as Munster make seven changes for Connacht clash

WARMING UP: John Hodnett during a Munster Rugby squad training session at the University of Limerick in Limerick. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
John Hodnett and Diarmuid Kilgallen are set for their first appearances of the season as two of seven changes to a winning Munster side for Saturday’s visit of Connacht to Thomond Park for a URC Round Five derby.
Jack O’Donoghue leads Munster from the back row as he shifts from openside to blindside flanker to accommodate Hodnett, who has recovered from a facial injury sustained in pre-season. Alex Nankivell, JJ Hanrahan, Lee Barron, Jean Kleyn and Gavin Coombes all step up to starting places after featuring as replacements in last Saturday’s 31-14 bonus-point derby win over Leinster while Kilgallen has recovered from the ankle injury that forced him out of the first four games to start on the right wing.