Munster make 6 changes and retire No.8 jersey for Champions Cup opener

Munster will retire their No.8 jersey in honour of Anthony Foley when they launch their Investec Champions Cup campaign against Racing 92 at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Saturday night.

This week marks the 10th anniversary of Foley’s death, with a series of tributes and commemorative events planned around the province’s opening European fixture.

In a gesture reflecting the legendary back-rower’s enduring legacy, the No.8 shirt will once again be retired for the occasion, as was the case for Munster’s first match following his passing in 2016.

Brian Gleeson will instead wear No.24.

Munster have made six changes to the side that drew with Ulster in Belfast last weekend, with four young players poised for their Champions Cup debuts.

First-year Academy fly-half Charlie O’Shea has been handed a start alongside Ireland international Craig Casey, while flanker Seán Edogbo also makes his first appearance in Europe’s premier club competition.

Among the replacements, Max Clein and Ben O’Donovan are in line for their Champions Cup debuts after joining the senior squad from the academy over the summer.

“The players are determined to put in a performance that Axel would be proud of. He is spoken about every day in our building and we are thinking of him and his family more than ever this week, 10 years on from his shock passing,” said head coach Clayton McMillan.

“While it will be an emotional day, the players know that the best way to honour his incredible legacy is to play the game with the right mentality and produce a committed team performance that shows how much they care for the jersey and the province.”

Alongside Edogbo, John Hodnett, Tom Ahern, Jack Aungier and Gleeson all come into the pack, while summer signings Aungier, Marnus van der Merwe and Kieran Brookes are set for their first Champions Cup appearances in Munster colours.

The province’s back division remains largely unchanged, with Ben O’Connor continuing at full-back alongside wings Shay McCarthy and Seán O’Brien. Dan Kelly and Alex Nankivell continue their midfield partnership.

“It’s exciting to see young players Seán Edogbo and Charlie O’Shea start on their Champions Cup debuts in another step forward in their development.

“Max Clein and Ben O’Donovan are two young men who moved up from the Academy to the senior squad in the summer and are named in a Champions Cup squad for the first time and we have every confidence in them if called upon.

“Marnus van der Merwe, Jack Aungier and Kieran Brookes are seasoned campaigners who have already played at this level. They get to do so with Munster for the first time tomorrow night and we have been really pleased with their contributions since joining in the summer.”

Munster Rugby: 15 Ben O’Connor, 14 Shay McCarthy, 13 Alex Nankivell, 12 Dan Kelly, 11 Seán O’Brien; 10 Charlie O’Shea, 9 Craig Casey; 1 Jeremy Loughman, 2 Marnus van der Merwe, 3 Jack Aungier, 4 Tom Ahern, 5 Tadhg Beirne (capt), 6 Seán Edogbo, 7 John Hodnett, 24 Brian Gleeson.

Replacements: 16 Max Clein, 17 Josh Wycherley, 18 Kieran Brookes, 19 Fineen Wycherley, 20 Gavin Coombes, 21 Ben O’Donovan, 22 JJ Hanrahan, 23 Jack O’Donoghue.