Tony Butler to take reins for Munster as Carbery out due to injury

Jack Crowley’s selection comes a week ahead of schedule after Munster received special dispensation from the IRFU for him to return to training on Thursday, once Joey Carbery’s situation became clear. 

FIRST SENIOR START: Tony Butler will make his first senior start for Munster at outhalf when they take on Dragons. Pic: ©INPHO/Tom Maher

Tony Butler will be aiming to live up to the maxim that one player’s misfortune is another’s opportunity when the academy fly-half takes the reins for Munster against Dragons in Cork this afternoon in the absence of Joey Carbery.

The Irish international playmaker is set for surgery next week on a wrist injury sustained against Benetton last week with Butler set for his first senior start. He will partner scrum-half Craig Casey, who along with Jack Crowley, named by Graham Rowntree as a replacement out-half for this BKT URC round-three contest at Musgrave Park (5:15pm), represents the first appearances of the season for returning World Cup players from the province.