Rowntree gives European debut to academy wing Shay McCarthy 

McCarthy, just a month past his 21st birthday, is one of three academy players in Graham Rowntree’s matchday 23 with fly-half Tony Butler and back-three player Ben O’Connor named among the replacements.

EUROPE DEBUT:  Shay McCarthy handed European debut. Pic: ©INPHO/Ben Brady

Injury-hit Munster will go into their home Champions Cup pool opener against Bayonne without a string of first-choice starters and a European debutant in academy wing Shay McCarthy.

Tadhg Beirne will captain the side at Thomond Park on Saturday evening, leading out a team showing six changes from the line-up which started the 40-29 win over Glasgow Warriors at Musgrave Park last Friday.