South African prop set for Munster debut against Lions

Academy lock Evan O'Connell is set to make his URC bow. 

DEBUTANT: Dian Bleuler during Munster training this week. Picture: ©INPHO/James Crombie

Munster have named their team to face the Lions on Saturday evening at Thomond Park. 

The game is Munster's first URC match since Graham Rowntree departed as head coach last month.

Lock Evan O’Connell is one of four academy players included and starts on his URC debut having earned his first Munster cap against an All Blacks A team earlier this month.

Short-term South African signing Dian Bleuler makes his Munster debut at loosehead prop. Summer arrival Thaakir Abrahams returns from injury on the wing for his first appearance since September.

Alex Nankivell is back in midfield for his third appearance of the season having missed the last three games due to a hip injury.

Mike Haley, academy winger Shay McCarthy and Abrahams start in the back three.

Nankivell and Tom Farrell pair up in midfield with Ethan Coughlan and Billy Burns in the half-backs.

Munster's Evan O'Connell during training this week. Picture: ©INPHO/James Crombie

Bleuler, captain Diarmuid Barron and John Ryan pack down in the front row as O’Connell and Fineen Wycherley start together in the second row. 

Alex Kendellen returns from Ireland camp to start in the back row with Jack O’Donoghue and Gavin Coombes.

Niall Scannell, academy prop Kieran Ryan, and Stephen Archer provide the front row back-up with Archer set for his 290th Munster appearance.

Academy flanker Ruadhán Quinn and John Hodnett complete the forward cover.

Shane Daly returns from a leg injury to take his place among the backline replacements along with Paddy Patterson and Tony Butler.

Ian Costello, Munster's head of operations, has taken interim charge as the province seek to find a replacement for the departed Rowntree. Costello held the reins for Munster's 38-24 defeat to the All Blacks A side. Forwards coach Andi Kyriacou also left Munster last week with Alex Codling, forwards coach with the Irish women's team, stepping in on an interim basis. 

Munster are looking to bounce back after a disappointing start to the season. Rowntree left after Munster suffered a third consecutive defeat in the URC. They've won just two of six games so far, their last victory being a 23-0 win against Ospreys on October 5. 

Munster team to play Lions (Saturday, November 30, 7:35pm)

Mike Haley; Shay McCarthy, Tom Farrell, Alex Nankivell, Thaakir Abrahams; Billy Burns, Ethan Coughlan; Dian Bleuler, Diarmuid Barron (C), John Ryan; Evan O’Connell, Fineen Wycherley; Jack O’Donoghue, Alex Kendellen, Gavin Coombes.

Replacements: Niall Scannell, Kieran Ryan, Stephen Archer, Ruadhán Quinn, John Hodnett, Paddy Patterson, Tony Butler, Shane Daly.

Ulster team to play Leinster (Friday, November 29, 7:35pm)

Stewart Moore; Werner Kok, Ben Carson, Jude Postlethwaite, Michael Lowry; Aidan Morgan, Nathan Doak; Eric O'Sullivan, James McCormick, Scott Wilson; Alan O'Connor (CAPT), Kieran Treadwell; James McNabney, Nick Timoney, David McCann 

Replacements: Tom Stewart, Andrew Warwick, Corrie Barrett, Harry Sheridan, Marcus Rea, John Cooney, James Humphreys, Ben Moxham

Leinster team to play Ulster

Jimmy O’Brien; Jordan Larmour, Liam Turner, Charlie Tector, Andrew Osborne; Ross Byrne, Luke McGrath; Jack Boyle, John McKee, Rabah Slimani; Diarmuid Mangan, Brian Deeny; Max Deegan, Will Connors, Jack Conan (CAPT)

Replacements: Lee Barron, Michael Milne, Rory McGuire, RG Snyman, James Culhane, Fintan Gunne, Harry Byrne, Scott Penny

Connacht team to play Bulls (Saturday, November 30, 5:30pm)

Shane Jennings; Shayne Bolton, Piers O’Conor, Cathal Forde , Santiago Cordero; Jack Carty, Ben Murphy; Denis Buckley,  Dave Heffernan, Jack Aungier; Joe Joyce, Niall Murray; Josh Murphy, Conor Oliver, Sean Jansen

Replacements: Dylan Tierney-Martin, Jordan Duggan, Sam Illo, Darragh Murray, Paul Boyle, Caolin Blade, David Hawkshaw, Shamus Hurley-Langton