URC team news: Munster captain Beirne returns to fray as McMillan rings the changes for Ulster trip

Munster captain Tadhg Beirne. Pic: Ben Brady/Inpho

Munster head coach Clayton McMillan has named his Munster side for Saturday’s URC Round 3 Interpro derby against Ulster at Affidea Stadium (kick-off, 5.30pm).

Captain Tadhg Beirne starts on his first Munster appearance since the home win over Ulster in April. Beirne missed the end of last season due to injury and featured for Ireland in the Nations Championship over July.

In making his first appearance of the season, Beirne becomes the 33rd player to line out for Munster in the opening three games of the campaign.

There are nine personnel changes to the side that beat the Bulls at Thomond Park last week.

Captain Beirne, Ben O’Connor, Alex Nankivell, JJ Hanrahan, Jeremy Loughman, Kieran Brookes, Jack O'Donoghue, Alex Kendellen and Gavin Coombes all slot into the starting XV.

O’Connor, Shane Daly and Seán O’Brien start in the back three with Dan Kelly and Nankivell forming the midfield partnership.

Craig Casey and Hanrahan start together in the half-backs.

Jeremy Loughman and new signings Marnus van der Merwe and Kieran Brookes pack down in the front row.

Evan O’Connell, who hasn’t missed a minute of action so far this season, and Beirne are named in the engine room.

O’Donoghue, Kendellen and Coombes form an all-new back row.

Diarmuid Barron, Josh Wycherley and new signing Jack Aungier provide the front row back-up as Tom Ahern, Brian Gleeson and John Hodnett complete the forward cover.

21-year-old scrum-half Ben O'Donovan and 20-year-old out-half Charlie O’Shea are the backline replacements.

Head coach McMillan said: “It’s great to welcome Tadhg back into the team for the first time since April after his well-deserved break following the Summer Tests.

“The players we have picked for Saturday night in Belfast have earned their places because of their contributions over our first two games and the work they put in over pre-season.

“As always there were some really tough decisions to make when selecting the team. It was maybe even tougher than usual with so many guys putting their hands up over the last few months. As a coaching team, that’s exactly what we want.

“Proper competition for places in the matchday 23 leads to a higher standard of training. Now it’s about translating that into a performance up in Belfast.

”JJ Hanrahan was excellent against Glasgow in Round 1 and I was really impressed with how he managed the end game against Bulls last week.

“It has been a whirlwind for Charlie O’Shea, it’s hard to believe that it’s less than two months since he pitched up with us. He hasn’t missed a beat and gets another opportunity this weekend as a replacement.”

Ulster (v Munster): Ethan McIlroy, Robert Baloucoune, Jamie Benson, Stuart McCloskey, Jacob Stockdale, Jack Murphy, Nathan Doak; Eric O’Sullivan, Tom Stewart (CAPT), Keynan Knox, Ben Donnell, Eli Snyman, Cormac Izuchukwu, Nick Timoney, Juarno Augustus.

Replacements: Henry Walker, Tom O’Toole, Tom McAllister, James McNabney, David McCann, Matthew Devine, Jake Flannery, Chay Mullins.

Munster (v Ulster): Ben O'Connor, Shane Daly, Alex Nankivell, Dan Kelly, Seán O'Brien, JJ Hanrahan, Craig Casey; Jeremy Loughman, Marnus van der Merwe, Kieran Brookes, Evan O'Connell, Tadhg Beirne (CAPT), Jack O'Donoghue, Alex Kendellen, Gavin Coombes.

Replacements: Diarmuid Barron, Josh Wycherley, Jack Aungier, Tom Ahern, Brian Gleeson, Ben O'Donovan, Charlie O’Shea, John Hodnett.

Leinster (v Cardiff): Hugo Keenan, Joshua Kenny, Garry Ringrose, Jamie Osborne, Jimmy O'Brien, Sam Prendergast, Oliver Coffey; Alex Usanov, Dan Sheehan (CAPT), Tadgh Furlong, Joe McCarthy, James Ryan, Max Deegan, Scott Penny, Jack Conan.

Replacements: Rónan Kelleher, Peter Dooley, Thomas Clarkson, Alan Spicer, Josh Ericson, Fintan Gunne, Caspar Gabriel, Robbie Henshaw

Connacht (v Glasgow): Josh Ioane, Shayne Bolton, Bundee Aki, Cathal Forde, Mack Hansen, Ciarán Frawley, Caolin Blade; Billy Bohan, Eoin de Buitléar, Sam Illo, Darragh Murray, Niall Murray, Cian Prendergast (CAPT), Paul Boyle, Sean Jansen.

Replacements: Matthew Victory, Francois van Wyk, Finlay Bealham, Josh Murphy, Shamus Hurley-Langton, Colm Reilly, Sean Naughton, Sam Gilbert.