Munster make nine changes for Gloucester Champions Cup clash at Páirc Uí Chaoimh
JACK'S BACK: Jack Crowley returns to the Munster team. Pic: ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan.
Clayton McMillan has pressed the reset button for Munster by making nine changes to the side hammered by Bath for Saturday’s must-win Champions Cup pool clash with Gloucester at Pairc Ui Chaoimh.
Jack Crowley, Jean Kleyn, Michael Milne and Jack O’Donoghue all return from injury, there is a first start for new signing Michael Ala’alatoa while Mike Haley, Alex Nankivell, Ben O’Connor and Niall Scannell also come into the team following the 40-14 Pool 2 opener at The Rec last Saturday.
Crowley has shaken off the ankle injury he picked up against the Stormers a fortnight ago to reclaim the number 10 jersey from JJ Hanrahan and resume his half-back partnership with fellow Ireland international Craig Casey.
Haley was on Friday named at full-back with Shane Daly switching from 15 to the right wing and O’Connor taking the left-wing berth as Diarmuid Kilgallen and Thaakir Abrahams drop out of the matchday 23.
Nankivell, a half-time replacement for Kilgallen in Bath, returns to the more familiar environs of inside centre as Dan Kelly switches to number 13, with Tom Farrell dropping to the bench.
Ala’alatoa made his debut as a replacement for John Ryan at tighthead last weekend and the Samoan international and former Leinster front-rower is handed a first start with Ryan dropping out of the 23 as Conor Bartley is named on the bench for a potential Champions Cup debut.
Ala’alatoa joins an all-new front row with loosehead Milne and hooker Scannell while behind them Kleyn and captain Tadhg Beirne start in the second row.
Kleyn missed the Bath game for personal reasons while Beirne was named at blindside flanker, McMillan having started with a lock pairing of Edwin Edogbo and Tom Ahern.
Edogbo moves to the bench while Ahern switches roles with Beirne to start at number six, with O’Donoghue returning at openside flanker on his comeback from a concussion sustained against the Stormers after just 10 minutes.
Meanwhile Connacht head coach Stuart Lancaster has named his team for their Challenge Cup meeting with Georgian side Black Lion at Dexcom Stadium on Saturday (8pm).
The side is captained by the in-form Paul Boyle, whose return to the starting XV is one of 11 changes that started the game against Ospreys last weekend.
“We’ve quite a number of injuries, and Bundee Aki is on a rest-week after his Ireland duties, but we’re still able to name a strong team filled with players who have plenty of minutes under their belt this season," said Lancaster.
"It’s a unique challenge hosting a Georgian side, but it’s one we’re really looking forward to. You know they’re going to be physical so we have to front up in that regard, and then feed off the support of the home crowd when the opportunities arise.”
Mike Haley; Shane Daly, Dan Kelly, Alex Nankivell, Ben O’Connor; Jack Crowley, Craig Casey; Michael Milne, Niall Scannell, Michael Ala’alatoa; Jean Kleyn, Tadhg Beirne (C); Tom Ahern, Jack O’Donoghue, Gavin Coombes.
Diarmuid Barron, Josh Wycherley, Conor Bartley, Edwin Edogbo, Ruadhán Quinn, Paddy Patterson, JJ Hanrahan, Tom Farrell.
Sam Gilbert, Chay Mullins, Hugh Gavin, Cathal Forde, Shayne Bolton, Jack Carty, Caolin Blade, Jordan Duggan, Dave Heffernan, Sam Illo, Darragh Murray, Niall Murray, Paul Boyle, Shamus Hurley-Langton, Sean Jansen.
Dylan Tierney-Martin, Billy Bohan, Fiachna Barrett, Joe Joyce, Seán O’Brien, Matthew Devine, David Hawkshaw, Harry West.
Fineen Wycherley (hand) – estimated return to play in one week.
Calvin Nash (shoulder) – estimated return to play in one week.
Brian Gleeson (elbow) – will return in early January.
Oli Jager (head) – targeting a return in January.
Bundee Aki, Jack Aungier, Finlay Bealham, Peter Dooley, Oisín Dowling, Mack Hansen, Josh Ioane, Shane Jennings, Temi Lasisi, Oisín McCormack, Seán Naughton, Cian Prendergast, Byron Ralston.
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