O'Mahony returns as Costello names Munster side for Northampton Saints clash  

LEADER: Peter O'Mahony during a Munster Rugby squad training at the University of Limerick. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Munster interim head coach Ian Costello has named his side for the Champions Cup round four meeting with Northampton Saints at Franklin's Gardens on Saturday afternoon (kick-off, 3.15pm).

In one of three changes to the team that defeated Saracens last week, injury-returnee Diarmuid Kilgallen, an off-season arrival from Connacht, starts his first competitve game in Munster colours. He forms part of the back-three alongside Mike Haley and Calvin Nash. 

The other changes see Peter O’Mahony return after recovering from a calf contusion, while Diarmuid Barron comes into the pack.

There is an unchanged centre pairing of Rory Scannell and Tom Farrell with half-backs Conor Murray and Jack Crowley also remaining in situ.

Dian Bleuler, Barron and Oli Jager pack down in the front-row, with Fineen Wycherley and captain Tadhg Beirne continue their second-row partnership.

O’Mahony, Alex Kendellen and Gavin Coombes form the back-row. Shane Daly and John Hodnett miss out due to return-to-play protocol and injury, respectively.

The winners of the clash will earn a home tie in the Champions Cup round of 16 on the first weekend in April.

Munster: M Haley; C Nash, T Farrell, R Scannell, D Kilgallen; J Crowley, C Murray; D Bleuler, D Barron, O Jager; F Wycherley, T Beirne; P O'Mahony, A Kendellen, G Coombes.

Replacements: N Scannell, J Ryan, S Archer, T Ahern, J O'Donoghue, P Patterson, T Butler, B Gleeson.