Nankivell returns, Nash and Hodnett start as Munster make eight changes for Edinburgh clash 

The province - fresh from confirming Chiefs boss Clayton McMillan as their new head coach - welcome the Scottish outfit to Cork aiming to build on good recent form, and have made eight changes to the side that recorded a bonus-point win against Scarlets last time out.

WELCOME ADDITION: Munster's Alex Nankivell scores a try. Pic: Laszlo Geczo/Inpho

Munster interim head coach Ian Costello has named his side for Friday’s URC clash against Edinburgh at Virgin Media Park (kick-off, 7.35pm).

The province - fresh from confirming Chiefs boss Clayton McMillan as their new head coach - welcome the Scottish outfit to Cork aiming to build on good recent form, with Costello making eight changes to the side that recorded a bonus-point win against Scarlets last time out.

Peter O'Mahony and Conor Murray remain with Ireland - for their last-ever Six Nations tilt - as do Jack Crowley, Tadhg Beirne and Gavin Coombes, however, John Hodnett and Calvin Nash return from the international camp and are named in the starting XV. 

The eight alterations see the introduction of Hodnett, Nash, Alex Nankivell, Shay McCarthy, Niall Scannell, John Ryan, Evan O’Connell and Brian Gleeson into the team.

Centre Nankivell  - who worked under incoming boss McMillan at the Chiefs before making his move to Munster - makes a welcome return from injury having been out of action since December. The province will also welcome back Seán O’Brien, who is set for his first appearance since October after recovering from a leg injury.

Four academy players are included with Ben O’Connor at full-back, McCarthy on the wing and O’Connell in the second-row as flanker Ruadhán Quinn is included among the replacements.

O’Connor, Nash and McCarthy are named in the back three with Nankivell and Tom Farrell in midfield as Ethan Coughlan and Billy Burns start in the half-backs.

In the pack, Josh Wycherley, Scannell and Ryan pack down in the front row with O’Connell and Fineen Wycherley forming the lock partnership, while Tom Ahern, Hodnett and Gleeson start in the back-row.

Diarmuid Barron, Mark Donnelly and Stephen Archer provide the front-row back-up, with Quinn and Alex Kendellen completing the forward cover.

Paddy Patterson, Tony Butler and O’Brien are the backline replacements.

Munster: B O’Connor (Highfield RFC/PBC); C Nash (Young Munster RFC/Crescent College Comp), T Farrell (Coolmine RFC/Castleknock College), A Nankivell (Christchurch Boys High School), S McCarthy (Richmond RFC/St Munchin’s College); B Burns (Beechen Cliff), E Coughlan (Ennis RFC); J Wycherley (Bantry Bay RFC/Cistercian College Roscrea), N Scannell (PBC), J Ryan (Muskerry RFC/CBC); E O’Connell (UL Bohemian RFC/Castletroy College), F Wycherley (Bantry Bay RFC/Cistercian College Roscrea); T Ahern ((Youghal RFC/Dungarvan RFC/Waterpark RFC), J Hodnett (Clonakilty RFC), B Gleeson (Thurles RFC/Rockwell College).

Replacements: D Barron (Cashel RFC/Rockwell College), M Donnelly (Midleton RFC), S Archer (Cork Constitution FC), R Quinn (Ballina-Killaloe RFC), A Kendellen (PBC), P Patterson (Blackrock College), T Butler (Ennis RFC), S O’Brien (Mullingar RFC).