Jack O'Donoghue: Páirc Uí Chaoimh fitting stage for dual star Ben O'Connor's first Champions Cup start

O’Donoghue, 31, has some hurling pedigree himself, winning age-grade Waterford county medals with the mighty Ballygunner as a teenager before elite-level rugby came calling.

FITTING STAGE: The Munster back-rower is eager to see former Cork All-Ireland minor and U21 winner Ben O’Connor make his first Champions Cup start against Gloucester at Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Saturday. Piture: Tyler Miller/Sportsfile

Jack O’Donoghue earned his hurling stripes as a teenager with Ballygunner, playing alongside the likes of future inter-county stars such as Dessie Hutchinson. Which is why the Munster back-rower is eager to see former Cork All-Ireland minor and U21 winner Ben O’Connor make his first Champions Cup start against Gloucester at Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Saturday.

Like O'Donoghue, O’Connor was one of nine changes made by head coach Clayton McMillan from the team which started the 40-14 Pool 2 loss at Bath last week in the opening round, with the 21-year-old academy player and St Finbarr’s man named on the left wing at the stadium he graced with the under-age Rebels.