Tadhg Beirne to make first URC appearance of season for Munster

Munster captain Tadhg Beirne will make his first appearance of the URC campaign when he starts against Ulster in Saturday’s interpro derby at Affidea Stadium.

Beirne has not featured for Munster since April’s home win over Ulster after missing the end of last season through injury. His inclusion is one of nine changes to the side that defeated the Bulls last week, with Ben O’Connor, Alex Nankivell, JJ Hanrahan, Jeremy Loughman, Kieran Brookes, Jack O’Donoghue, Alex Kendellen and Gavin Coombes all coming into the starting XV.

In-form second row Evan O’Connell continues in the engine room alongside Beirne, while O’Donoghue, Kendellen and Coombes form a new-look back row. Hanrahan partners Craig Casey at half-back and O’Connor starts in the back three alongside Shane Daly and Seán O’Brien.

“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,” said head coach Clayton McMillan.

“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.”

Munster Rugby: 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 (C); 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.