The Munster team has been named for Saturday\u2019s Investec Champions Cup opener against Bath at The Rec (8pm, live on Premier Sports).<\/p>\n
Munster host Gloucester at SuperValu P\u00e1irc Ui Chaoimh on Saturday week in our first Champions Cup home fixture of the campaign. Kick-off is at 5.30pm with limited tickets remaining here<\/a>.<\/p>\n There are five changes to the side that faced DHL Stormers last week.<\/p>\n Summer arrivals Dan Kelly and JJ Hanrahan come into the backline with Kelly set for his first Champions Cup appearance for Munster.<\/p>\n Michael Milne, Jean Kleyn and John Hodnett start in the pack with Kleyn back from international duty with the Springboks.<\/p>\n Michael Ala\u2019alatoa is set for his Munster debut as a replacement after joining until the end of the season from Clermont Auvergne. Fellow replacement Alex Kendellen, who made his return from injury for UCC last week, is set for his first appearance since the URC round one win over Scarlets in September.<\/p>\n Shane Daly, Diarmuid Kilgallen and Thaakir Abrahams start in an unchanged back three with Kelly and Tom Farrell in midfield.<\/p>\n Craig Casey and Hanrahan start in the half-backs.<\/p>\n Milne, Diarmuid Barron and John Ryan pack down in the front row as Kleyn and Tom Ahern start in the engine room. Milne makes his first Champions Cup appearance for Munster.<\/p>\n Captain Tadhg Beirne, Hodnett and Gavin Coombes are in the back row.<\/p>\n Lee Barron, Jeremy Loughman and Ala\u2019alatoa provide the front row back-up with Edwin Edogbo, Ruadh\u00e1n Quinn and Kendellen completing the forward cover. Lee Barron, Edogbo and Quinn are in line for their Champions Cup debuts.<\/p>\n Ethan Coughlan and Alex Nankivell are the backline replacements.<\/p>\n Munster Rugby: Shane Daly; Diarmuid Kilgallen, Tom Farrell, Dan Kelly, Thaakir Abrahams; JJ Hanrahan, Craig Casey; Michael Milne, Diarmuid Barron, John Ryan; Jean Kleyn, Tom Ahern; Tadhg Beirne (C), John Hodnett, Gavin Coombes.<\/p>\n Replacements: Lee Barron, Jeremy Loughman, Michael Ala\u2019alatoa, Edwin Edogbo, Ruadh\u00e1n Quinn, Ethan Coughlan, Alex Nankivell, Alex Kendellen.<\/p>\n Unavailable for selection this week:<\/p>\n Jack Crowley (ankle)\u00a0\u2013 estimated return to play in one to two weeks.<\/p>\n Calvin Nash (shoulder) \u2013 estimated return to play in one to two weeks.<\/p>\n Andrew Smith (knee\/hamstring) \u2013 estimated return to play in one to two weeks.<\/p>\n Jack O\u2019Donoghue (concussion) \u2013 following return-to-play protocols.<\/p>\n Brian Gleeson (elbow) \u2013 will return in four weeks.<\/p>\n Oli Jager (head) \u2013 targeting a return in January.<\/p>\n Tickets<\/p>\n Saturday, December 13<\/p>\n Champions Cup Round 2: Munster Rugby v Gloucester Rugby, SuperValu P\u00e1irc U\u00ed Chaoimh, 5.30pm;\u00a0Remaining tickets here<\/a><\/p>\n Saturday, December 27<\/p>\n URC Round 7: Munster Rugby v Leinster Rugby, Thomond Park, 7.45pm;\u00a0SOLD-OUT<\/p>\n Saturday, January 17<\/p>\n Champions Cup Round 4: Munster Rugby v Castres Olympique, Thomond Park, 5.30pm;\u00a0Buy tickets here<\/a><\/p>\n Friday, January 23<\/p>\n URC Round 10: Munster Rugby v Dragons RFC, Virgin Media Park, 7.45pm;\u00a0Buy tickets here<\/a><\/p>\n Saturday, February 28<\/p>\n URC Round 12: Munster Rugby v Zebre Rugby, Thomond Park, 5.30pm;\u00a0Buy tickets here<\/a><\/p>\n Saturday, April 25<\/p>\n URC Round 16: Munster Rugby v Ulster Rugby, Thomond Park, 5.30pm;\u00a0Buy tickets here<\/a><\/p>\n Saturday, May 16<\/p>\n