Beirne, O'Mahony and Crowley return to starting team as Munster aim to make amends

Tadhg Beirne will lead the Munster team for the first time since he was appointed successor to Peter O'Mahony as captain. 

RETURN: Peter O'Mahony during Munster training. Pic: ©INPHO/Ben Brady

Tadhg Beirne, Peter O’Mahony and Jack Crowley return to the starting line-up for the first time this season to spearhead Munster’s bid for a much-needed URC win against Ospreys in Cork on Saturday evening.

The trio of Ireland internationals will be making their seasonal debuts at Virgin Media Park after a delayed pre-season following the drawn summer Test series against the Springboks in South Africa. Beirne will lead the side for the first time since his appointment by Graham Rowntree to succeed O’Mahony as club captain ahead of the new season with Munster having suffered a humiliating 42-33 defeat at Zebre Parma last Saturday in Italy.