Ben O'Connor handed first Munster start in Dragons clash

MULTI-TALENTED: Ben O'Connor during Munster rugby squad training at University of Limerick. Pic: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

Munster interim head coach Ian Costello named his side for Saturday’s URC Round 10 clash against Dragons at Rodney Parade (kick-off7.35pm).

There are six changes to the side that were narrowly defeated by Northampton Saints last week in the Champions Cup as Ben O’Connor, Shane Daly, Billy Burns and Ethan Coughlan come into the backline, while Tom Ahern and captain Jack O’Donoghue start in the pack.

Former St Finbarr's and Cork GAA talent Ben O’Connor makes his first start for Munster on his eighth appearance for the province, while academy hooker Danny Sheahan, is included among the replacements and set for his senior debut.

O’Connor, Daly and Diarmuid Kilgallen start in the back three with Daly available having completed the graduated return-to-play protocols.

It will be a first URC debut in Munster colours for Kilgallen after his two-try competitive debut for the province at Franklin's Gardens last week.

Rory Scannell and Tom Farrell continue their centre partnership for the fourth successive game with Coughlan and Burns in the half-backs.

Dian Bleuler - still at the province - Diarmuid Barron and Oli Jager pack down in the front-row with Fineen Wycherley and Tom Ahern forming the second-row partnership.

O’Donoghue, Alex Kendellen and Gavin Coombes start in the back row with Kendellen’s two-year contract extension confirmed earlier this week.

Sheahan, Kieran Ryan and John Ryan are the front-row replacements with lock Evan O’Connell, Brian Gleeson and John Hodnett completing the forward cover. Paddy Patterson and Tony Butler are the backline replacements.

Munster’s international contingent of Tadhg Beirne, Jack Crowley, Conor Murray, Calvin Nash and Peter O’Mahony are in Ireland's Algarve-based training camp.

On the injury front, Niall Scannell was unavailable for selection as he continues the graduated return-to-play protocols, while Mike Haley has undergone successful surgery on the ankle injury he sustained in Northampton last week.

Munster: B O’Connor; D Kilgallen, T Farrell, R Scannell, S Daly; B Burns, E Coughlan; D Bleuler, D Barron, O Jager; F Wycherley, T Ahern; J O’Donoghue, A Kendellen, G Coombes.

Replacements:

D Sheahan, K Ryan, J Ryan, E O’Connell, B Gleeson, P Patterson, T Butler, J Hodnett.

Ulster (v Zebre): S. Moore; M. Lowry, B. Carson, J. Postlethwaite, Z. Ward; J. Murphy, J. Cooney; E. O’Sullivan, T. Stewart, S. Wilson; H. Sheridan, K. Treadwell; L. McLoughlin, N. Timoney, D. McCann.

Replacements: J. Andrew, C. Reid, C. Barrett, A. O’Connor, M. Rea, N. Doak, J. Flannery, R. Lyttle.

Connacht (v Glasgow): S. Cordero; C. Mullins, P. O’Conor, D. Hawkshaw, B. Ralston; J. Hanrahan, C. Blade; P. Dooley, D. Heffernan, J. Aungier; D. O'Connor, J. Joyce; J. Murphy, S. Hurley-Langton, S. Jansen. 

Replacements: D. Tierney-Martin, J. Duggan, S. Illo, O. Dowling, P. Boyle, M. Devine, J. Carty, F. Treacy.