Hulking lock Edwin Edogbo to make first Munster start in nearly 2 years

Powerful lock Edwin Edogbo set to make his long-awaited onfield return to Munster after nearly two years on the sidelines.

The promising rookie has been named on the pine by new head coach Clayton for Munster’s Friday night’s URC Round 3 clash against Edinburgh at Virgin Media Park.

The 22-year-old Cork native has endured a string of injury setbacks but looks set for his first senior start since playing against provincial rivals Leinster back in December, 2023.

The 6’5, 122kg forward is part of a heavily rotated Munster side showing 10 changes from the team that beat Cardiff at Thomond Park last week.

There’s a first appearance of the season for last year’s Player of the Year Tom Farrell, while Calvin Nash, Andrew Smith and Michael Milne are also handed starts.

Elsewhere captain Diarmuid Barron, Mike Haley, Seán O’Brien, JJ Hanrahan, Paddy Patterson and Jack O’Donoghue all return to the XV.

Haley, Nash and Smith form the back three, with O’Brien and Farrell pairing up in midfield. Patterson and Hanrahan start together in the halves.

Up front, Milne, Barron and Oli Jager make up the front row. Springbok Jean Kleyn and Fineen Wycherley continue their partnership in the second row for the third straight game.

O’Donoghue, Ruadhán Quinn and Gavin Coombes start in the back row. Veteran tighthead John Ryan is also set for his first outing of the season off the bench.

Coach McMillan will have used a total of 35 players across the opening three rounds of the URC.

Munster team:
15. Mike Haley
14. Calvin Nash
13. Tom Farrell
12. Seán O’Brien
11. Andrew Smith
10. JJ Hanrahan
9. Paddy Patterson
1. Michael Milne
2. Diarmuid Barron (C)
3. Oli Jager
4. Jean Kleyn
5. Fineen Wycherley
6. Jack O’Donoghue
7. Ruadhán Quinn
8. Gavin Coombes

Replacements:
16. Lee Barron
17. Josh Wycherley
18. John Ryan
19. Edwin Edogbo
20. Brian Gleeson
21. Ethan Coughlan
22. Tony Butler
23. Dan Kelly