Munster's Evan O'Connell handed Champions Cup debut as Ireland contingent return

There is a Champions Cup debut for academy lock Evan O’Connell, who starts alongside Fineen Wycherley in an unchanged second row.

RAPID RISE: Munster's Evan O'Connell retains his place in the second row. Pic: Ben Brady/Inpho

Munster will welcome back their Ireland stars for Saturday’s Champions Cup pool opener against Stade Francais with Calvin Nash, Jack Crowley, Craig Casey and Peter O’Mahony all set to start at Thomond Park and Tadhg Beirne among the replacements.

The sixth available Autumn Nations Series participant, scrum-half Conor Murray, misses out due to a knock but the international quartet returning to the starting line-up are four of five changes from the team which kicked off the 17-10 URC win over the Lions in Limerick last Saturday.