Jager starts as McMillan names Munster side for Ulster clash

Munster prop Oli Jager. Pic: James Crombie/Inpho

Munster make one change from the line-up which kept their URC play-offs bid alive in Italy last weekend for Saturday’s derby showdown with top-eight rivals Ulster at Thomond Park as a fit-again Oli Jager claims a start at tighthead prop.

Clayton McMillan’s side climbed back into the all-important top half of the standings with three rounds of the regular season to go as they ran seven tries past Benetton in a 45-15 bonus-point victory in Treviso last Saturday. 

Munster now sit in sixth place, a point behind Ulster in fifth and just two adrift of a top-four finish which would guarantee a home draw for the play-off quarter-finals on the final weekend in May.

Equally, Munster sit just two points from Connacht in ninth place, whom they will play next in Galway on May 9, with a return to Thomond Park for the 18th and final round against Lions on May 16. 

For all the financial benefits of a home quarter to the financially burdened province, a place in the top eight of the final standings is the overriding priority and victory is a must this Saturday either way.

One-cap Ireland prop Jager make his first start since January after returning from injury off the bench against Benetton last week, with Michael Ala’alatoa moving to the replacements to likely extend his record of featuring in every game for the province since joining from Clermont in December.

Ireland wing Calvin Nash starts on his 100th appearance for the province after a week which started with a try against Benetton on his return from a concussion lay-off and the announcement of a two-year contract extension. 

Nash retains the right-wing berth in a back three also featuring full-back Shane Daly and left wing Andrew Smith.

The rest of the backline sees last week’s Player of the Match Alex Nankivell and Tom Farrell resume their centre pairing and likewise for half-backs Craig Casey and Jack Crowley at nine and 10 respectively.

Loosehead Jeremy Loughman and hooker Diarmuid Barron join Jager in the front row with Jean Kleyn and captain Tadhg Beirne in the second row. Tom Ahern, John Hodnett and No.8 Gavin Coombes complete the side in the back row.

The bench also remains unchanged with Lee Barron, Michael Milne and Ala’alatoa the front row replacements. Edwin Edogbo, Gleeson and Alex Kendellen complete the forward cover while academy scrum-half Ben O’Donovan is set for his Thomond Park debut after appearances off the bench in Exeter and Treviso, with centre Dan Kelly the other backline replacement.

Centre/wing Seán O’Brien (calf), hooker Niall Scannell (quad) and lock Fineen Wycherley (knee) remain sidelined through injury.

MUNSTER (v Ulster): Shane Daly; Calvin Nash, Tom Farrell, Alex Nankivell, Andrew Smith; Jack Crowley, Craig Casey; Jeremy Loughman, Diarmuid Barron, Oli Jager; Jean Kleyn, Tadhg Beirne - captain; Tom Ahern, John Hodnett, Gavin Coombes.

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