Munster ring changes for crucial URC trip to Benetton

Only seven starters remain for Saturday's clash Treviso’s Stadio Monigo following the Challenge Cup exit to Exeter

SWITCHING IT UP: Full-back Shane Daly, and wings Calvin Nash and Andrew Smith form an all-new back three on Saturday. Picture: INPHO/Morgan Treacy

Munster will have a new-look side for the start of their end of season bid for a URC play-off spot with Clayton McMillan making sweeping changes for Saturday’s trip to Benetton at Treviso’s Stadio Monigo.

The head coach on Thursday named a team showing eight changes from the team which shipped 31 unanswered first-half points at Exeter Chiefs on April 4 on the way to a 31-21 Challenge Cup Round of 16 exit last time out.

Full-back Shane Daly, and wings Calvin Nash and Andrew Smith form an all-new back three while hooker Diarmuid Barron, tighthead prop Michael Ala’alatoa, lock Jean Kleyn, and back-rowers Tom Ahern and John Hodnett all come into a side captained once again from the second row by Tadhg Beirne.

Nash (concussion), Barron (concussion) and Kleyn (ankle) each return from injury absences as do forward replacements Oli Jager (foot) and Brian Gleeson (concussion).

The centre and half-back partnerships are unchanged as Alex Nankivell and Tom Farrell go again in midfield with Craig Casey and Jack Crowley starting at nine and 10.

Loosehead Jeremy Loughman, Barron and Ala’alatoa form the front row with Kleyn and Beirne the named locks, while Ahern joins the back row at blindside flanker alongside openside Hodnett and No.8 Gavin Coombes completes the side.

Hooker Lee Barron, loosehead Michael Milne and tighthead Jager are the front row replacements with lock Edwin Edogbo, and back-rowers Gleeson and Alex Kendellen completing the forward cover with academy scrum-half Ben O’Donovan and Dan Kelly the two backline replacements. Irish-qualified former All Blacks Under-20 O’Donovan is in line for his second Munster appearance following a switch from the Crusaders academy in New Zealand two months ago.

Despite the return of five fit-again players, Munster remain without lock Fineen Wycherley (knee), back-rower Jack O’Donoghue (ankle), hooker Niall Scannell (thigh_, full-back Mike Haley (groin), centre/wing Seán O’Brien (calf) and fly-half JJ Hanrahan (shoulder).

MUNSTER (v Benetton):

Shane Daly; Calvin Nash, Tom Farrell, Alex Nankivell, Andrew Smith; Jack Crowley, Craig Casey; Jeremy Loughman, Diarmuid Barron, Michael Ala’alatoa; Jean Kleyn, Tadhg Beirne (c); Tom Ahern, John Hodnett, Gavin Coombes.

Replacements: Lee Barron, Michael Milne, Oli Jager, Edwin Edogbo, Brian Gleeson, Ben O’Donovan, Dan Kelly, Alex Kendellen.