The Munster team has been named for Friday night\u2019s URC Round 9 clash against Ulster at Affidea Stadium (7.45pm, live on Premier Sports).<\/p>\n
There are 10 personnel changes and one positional switch from the side that faced Leinster at Thomond Park on Saturday.<\/p>\n
Calvin Nash returns from illness with Dan Kelly, JJ Hanrahan and Paddy Patterson also coming into the starting backline.<\/p>\n
Captain Diarmuid Barron, Josh Wycherley, Jean Kleyn, Fineen Wycherley, John Hodnett and Alex Kendellen start in the pack.<\/p>\n
In the replacements, Brian Gleeson returns from the elbow injury he sustained at Croke Park in October.<\/p>\n
Full-back Mike Haley, Nash and Thaakir Abrahams form the back three with Alex Nankivell and Dan Kelly named as the centre partnership.<\/p>\n
Patterson and Hanrahan, who made his 150th Munster appearance against Ospreys in December, are the half-back pairing.<\/p>\n
Josh Wycherley, Barron and Michael Ala\u2019alatoa start in the front row with Kleyn and Fineen Wycherley in the engine room.<\/p>\n
Tom Ahern moves from the second row to blindside flanker with Hodnett and Kendellen completing the back row.<\/p>\n
Lee Barron, Jeremy Loughman and Conor Bartley provide the front row back-up as Jack O\u2019Donoghue and Gleeson complete the forward cover.<\/p>\n
Ethan Coughlan, Tony Butler and Se\u00e1n O\u2019Brien are the backline replacements.<\/p>\n
Munster Rugby: Mike Haley; Calvin Nash, Dan Kelly, Alex Nankivell, Thaakir Abrahams; JJ Hanrahan, Paddy Patterson; Josh Wycherley, Diarmuid Barron (C), Michael Ala\u2019alatoa; Jean Kleyn, Fineen Wycherley; Tom Ahern, John Hodnett, Alex Kendellen.<\/p>\n
Replacements: Lee Barron, Jeremy Loughman, Conor Bartley, Jack O\u2019Donoghue, Brian Gleeson, Ethan Coughlan, Tony Butler, Se\u00e1n O\u2019Brien.<\/p>\n
Unavailable for selection this week:<\/p>\n
Oli Jager (head) \u2013 estimated return in two to three weeks.<\/p>\n
Andrew Smith (hamstring) \u2013 estimated return in one to two weeks.<\/p>\n
Tickets<\/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