Big guns return to Munster starting XV for top of table clash with Stormers

TEAM NEWS: Munster captain Tadhg Beirne is one of five returning Ireland internationals to Clayton McMillan’s starting line-up for Saturday’s URC top of the table clash with the Stormers at Thomond Park. Picture: ©INPHO/Tom O’Hanlon

Munster captain Tadhg Beirne is one of five returning Ireland internationals to Clayton McMillan’s starting line-up for Saturday’s URC top of the table clash with the Stormers at Thomond Park.

Beirne, who was this week named in World Rugby’s Dream Team of the Year, will lead the unbeaten Reds from blindside flanker, a week on from starting the defeat to South Africa, while half-backs Craig Casey and Jack Crowley start at scrum-half and fly-half respectively and fellow Ireland replacement last Saturday Tom Farrell is restored at outside centre having earned his first two Test caps during November.

The other Ireland squad member named on Thursday to start against the Stormers is Tom Ahern, who was unused across four Tests by head coach Andy Farrell but who comes straight in to partner Fineen Wycherley, ever-present so far this season, in the second row.

Head coach McMillan has also found spots in his matchday 23 for a quintet of players returning from injury with Thaakir Abrahams starting on the left wing and Diarmuid Barron named at hooker, while hooker Niall Scannell, lock Edwin Edogbo and flanker John Hodnett are all selected for replacement duty having returned to training this week.

Abrahams joins a back three featuring Shane Daly at full back and right wing Diarmuid Kilgallen while Farrell partners Alex Nankivell in midfield outside Crowley and Casey.

Diarmuid Barron is at the centre of a front row that also includes loosehead prop Jeremy Loughman and tighthead John Ryan while Beirne forms the back row with Jack O’Donoghue at openside flanker and No.8 Gavin Coombes.

Michael Milne and Academy tighthead Ronan Foxe complete the front row bench options with Edogbo and Hodnett completing the forward cover while Ethan Coughlan, Tony Butler and Dan Kelly are the backline replacements as Munster look to extend their unbeaten start to six wins from six, an outcome which would end the Stormers own five-win season-opening streak.

MUNSTER: Shane Daly; Diarmuid Kilgallen, Tom Farrell, Alex Nankivell, Thaakir Abrahams; Jack Crowley, Craig Casey; Jeremy Loughman, Diarmuid Barron, John Ryan; Tom Ahern, Fineen Wycherley; Tadhg Beirne - captain, Jack O’Donoghue, Gavin Coombes.

Replacements: Niall Scannell, Michael Milne, Ronan Foxe, Edwin Edogbo, John Hodnett, Ethan Coughlan, Tony Butler, Dan Kelly.