'It's been a long time coming': Munster milestone man Tadhg Beirne

Captain Tadhg Beirne will lead Munster on his 100th appearance for the province when they take on Castres in Saturday’s must-win Investec Champions Cup clash at Thomond Park (ko 5.30pm).

Johann van Graan handed Beirne his Munster off the bench against Glasgow in 2018, and the Ireland and Lions international admits the milestone has been a long time coming.

“I am really looking forward to it; it’s been a long time coming. It has taken me quite a while to get there and I have watched a lot of lads get there before me, just through injuries and that and a few setbacks along the road over the last few years. So I am delighted to finally make the big milestone,” he said.

“I actually didn’t know it was my 100th until we were on the way back from Toulon and Barnesy said it to me, so I wasn’t really keeping track of how many caps I was on. To get to that milestone is a huge honour and it’s a big one that my family will be very proud of as well.”

There are three changes to the Munster side that was narrowly beaten in Toulon last weekend as Thaakir Abrahams, Niall Scannell and Jean Kleyn all come into the starting XV.

Shane Daly, Abrahams and Academy man Ben O’Connor start in the back three with Alex Nankivell and Tom Farrell continuing their centre partnership.

Craig Casey has recovered from a shoulder knock to start in the half-backs with Jack Crowley.

Jeremy Loughman, Scannell and Michael Ala’alatoa pack down in the front row with Kleyn and Fineen Wycherley in the engine room.

An unchanged back row of Beirne, Jack O’Donoghue and Gavin Coombes completes the starting XV.

Investec Champions Cup

Pool 1

P

W

L

D

PF

PA

PD

BP T

BP-7

BP

Total

1

Glasgow

3

3

0

0

15

2

Sale

3

2

1

0

11

3

Saracens

3

2

1

0

10

4

Toulouse

3

1

2

0

7

5

Sharks

3

1

2

0

5

6

Clermont

3

0

3

0

0

Pool 2

P

W

L

D

PF

PA

PD

BP T

BP-7

BP

Total

1

Bath

3

2

1

0

11

2

Edinburgh

3

2

1

0

10

3

Toulon

3

2

1

0

9

4

Munster

3

1

2

0

6

5

Gloucester

3

1

2

0

6

6

Castres

3

1

2

0

5

Pool 3

P

W

L

D

PF

PA

PD

BP T

BP-7

BP

Total

1

Leinster

3

3

0

0

14

2

Harlequins

3

2

1

0

11

3

Stormers

3

2

1

0

9

4

Stade Rochelais

3

1

2

0

6

5

Leicester

3

1

2

0

5

6

Bayonne

3

0

3

0

0

Pool 4

P

W

L

D

PF

PA

PD

BP T

BP-7

BP

Total

1

Bordeaux

3

3

0

0

15

2

Bristol

3

3

0

0

14

3

Northampton

3

2

1

0

11

4

Pau

3

1

2

0

5

5

Scarlets

3

0

3

0

2

6

Bulls

3

0

3

0

2

Munster go into the match occupying the fourth qualification spot from Pool 2, level on points with Gloucester but with a better points difference, and one point ahead of Castres.

Munster Rugby: Shane Daly; Thaakir Abrahams, Tom Farrell, Alex Nankivell, Ben O’Connor; Jack Crowley, Craig Casey; Jeremy Loughman, Niall Scannell, Michael Ala’alatoa; Jean Kleyn, Fineen Wycherley; Tadhg Beirne (C), Jack O’Donoghue, Gavin Coombes.

Replacements: Lee Barron, Michael Milne, Oli Jager, Edwin Edogbo, Brian Gleeson, Ethan Coughlan, JJ Hanrahan, Dan Kelly.