Ireland trio return for Munster after difficult week off the field

Munster have named their side for Saturday’s URC Round 14 clash with the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld, restoring three Ireland internationals to the matchday squad after what has been a challenging week off the field for the province.

It was reported on Wednesday that Munster had opened a voluntary redundancy process for non-playing, non-coaching staff as the province looks to reduce costs following a financially difficult 2024/25 season; a campaign that yielded little URC and Champions Cup knock-out revenue.

“Look at a human level, it’s less than ideal,” said head coach Clayton McMillan. “In no industry do you want to see where you get to a point where the organisation needs to consider redundancies.”

Against that backdrop, McMillan made eight changes to the side beaten by the Sharks in Durban last weekend.

Craig Casey captains Munster for the second time, having first led the side in September’s season opener against Scarlets. The scrum-half is joined in the starting XV by fellow returning internationals Jack Crowley, Michael Milne and Jeremy Loughman, the latter named among the replacements.

United Rugby Championship

P

W

L

D

PF

PA

PD

BP T

BP-7

BP

Total

1

Glasgow

13

10

3

0

50

2

Stormers

13

10

3

0

46

3

Ulster

13

8

5

0

42

4

Leinster

13

8

5

0

41

5

Cardiff Rugby

13

8

5

0

40

6

Munster

13

8

5

0

39

7

Lions

13

7

5

1

38

8

Bulls

13

7

6

0

35

9

Connacht

13

6

7

0

35

10

Ospreys

13

5

6

2

29

11

Sharks

13

5

7

1

29

12

Benetton

13

5

6

2

28

13

Edinburgh

13

4

9

0

23

14

Scarlets

13

4

8

1

21

15

Dragons RFC

13

2

8

3

20

16

Zebre

13

2

11

0

12

There is also a landmark appearance in the pack for Diarmuid Barron. The hooker debuted away to Cardiff in September 2018 and his start will see him bring up the ton for the men in red.

In the backline, Crowley, Casey, Ben O’Connor, Dan Kelly and Seán O’Brien all come into the side. O’Connor, Calvin Nash and O’Brien form the back three, with Alex Nankivell and Kelly paired in midfield.

Up front, fellow Michael Milne, Barron and Michael Ala’alatoa pack down in the front row. Jean Kleyn and Fineen Wycherley start together in the second row, while Tom Ahern shifts to the back row alongside Alex Kendellen and Brian Gleeson.

Loughman is joined on the bench by Niall Scannell and John Ryan to complete the front-row cover. Edwin Edogbo, Gavin Coombes and John Hodnett provide further forward reinforcements, with Paddy Patterson and JJ Hanrahan named as the backline replacements.

On the injury front, Shane Daly and Tom Farrell followed modified training schedules after picking up knocks, while Mike Haley (groin) was unavailable for selection.

Munster: Ben O’Connor; Calvin Nash, Dan Kelly, Alex Nankivell, Seán O’Brien; Jack Crowley, Craig Casey (C); Michael Milne, Diarmuid Barron, Michael Ala’alatoa; Jean Kleyn, Fineen Wycherley; Tom Ahern, Alex Kendellen, Brian Gleeson.

Replacements: Niall Scannell, Jeremy Loughman, John Ryan, Edwin Edogbo, Gavin Coombes, Paddy Patterson, JJ Hanrahan, John Hodnett.