Trio set to make Munster debuts in URC opener against Connacht

Jean Kleyn makes his return after 10 months out with an eye injury. 

NEW MAN: Thaakir Abrahams is set to make his Munster debut against Connacht. Picture: ©INPHO/James Crombie

Thaakir Abrahams, Tom Farrell and Billy Burns are all set to make their Munster debuts in Saturday's URC opener against Connacht. 

Abrahams starts on the wing, Farrell at outside centre and Burns at out-half. 

Hooker Diarmuid Barron captains the side. Jean Kleyn makes his return from a 10-month injury absence and starts in the second row. 

Mike Haley is named at full-back with Shane Daly on the wing opposite Abrahams. Burns will be partnered in the half-backs by Craig Casey while Alex Nankivell will be alongside Farrell in the centre. 

Jeremy Loughman, Barron and John Ryan are the front row. Fineen Wycherley will be beside Kleyn in the second row. 

Ruadhán Quinn, John Hodnett and Gavin Coombes complete the starting team. 

For Connacht, Mack Hansen will start his first competitive match since a serious shoulder injury on New Year’s Day. Josh Murphy is also set to start his first game since May 2023 after completing his medical placement. 

Half-back duo of Ben Murphy and Josh Ioane are set to make their Connacht debuts as is Piers O’Conor at outside centre.

Munster play Connacht at 5:30pm at Thomond Park on Saturday evening. The game will be shown live on RTÉ. 

Munster team to play Connacht

Mike Haley; Thaakir Abrahams, Tom Farrell, Alex Nankivell, Shane Daly; Billy Burns, Craig Casey; Jeremy Loughman, Diarmuid Barron (C), John Ryan; Jean Kleyn, Fineen Wycherley; Ruadhán Quinn, John Hodnett, Gavin Coombes.

Replacements: Niall Scannell, Josh Wycherley, Oli Jager, Alex Kendellen, Jack O’Donoghue, Ethan Coughlan, Tony Butler, Seán O’Brien.

Connacht team to play Munster

Santiago Cordero; Mack Hansen, Piers O’Conor, Cathal Forde, Shayne Bolton; Josh Ioane, Ben Murphy; Denis Buckley, Dave Heffernan, Jack Aungier; Joe Joyce, Darragh Murray; Josh Murphy, Conor Oliver, Cian Prendergast.

Replacement: Dylan Tierney-Martin, Peter Dooley, Sam Illo, Oisín Dowling, Shamus Hurley-Langton,  Caolin Blade, David Hawkshaw, Sean Jansen

Ulster team to play Glasgow

Ethan McIlroy; Mike Lowry, Stewart Moore, Jude Postlethwaite, Jacob Stockdale;  Aidan Morgan, Nathan Doak; Eric O’Sullivan, John Andrew, Corrie Barrett; Iain Henderson, Kieran Treadwell; James McNabney, David McCann, Nick Timoney.

Replacements: James McCormick, Andrew Warwick, Tom O’Toole, Harry Sheridan, Cormac Izuchukwu, Dave Shanahan, James Humphreys, Werner Kok.