The Munster team has been named for Saturday\u2019s Challenge Cup Round of 16 clash against Exeter Chiefs at Sandy Park (12.30pm, live on Premier Sports).<\/p>\n
There are 10 changes to the side that secured two bonus-points in the loss to Bulls at Loftus Versfeld last week.<\/p>\n
Alex Nankivell makes a landmark 50th appearance for the province having started 45 of his 49 games since joining from the Chiefs in September 2023.<\/p>\n
In the backline, wingers Thaakir Abrahams and Diarmuid Kilgallen both start with Tom Farrell returning in midfield.<\/p>\n
Alex Kendellen is the only member of the pack retained with an all-new front row of Jeremy Loughman, Lee Barron and John Ryan.<\/p>\n
Edwin Edogbo and captain Tadhg Beirne are named in the engine room with Jack O\u2019Donoghue and Gavin Coombes joining Kendellen in the back row.<\/p>\n
Ruadh\u00e1n Quinn and Ben O\u2019Donovan join the squad as replacements with Academy scrum-half O\u2019Donovan in line for his Munster debut after joining from Canterbury in February. Irish-qualified O\u2019Donovan is a former New Zealand U20 international.<\/p>\n
Academy full-back Ben O\u2019Connor keeps his place and is joined by Abrahams and Kilgallen in the back three.<\/p>\n
Nankivell and Farrell resume their midfield partnership with Craig Casey and Jack Crowley continuing in the half-backs.<\/p>\n
Niall Scannell, Michael Milne and Michael Ala\u2019alatoa provide the front row back-up as Tom Ahern, Quinn and John Hodnett complete the forward cover.<\/p>\n
O\u2019Donovan and Se\u00e1n O\u2019Brien are the backline replacements.<\/p>\n
Munster Rugby: Ben O\u2019Connor; Thaakir Abrahams, Tom Farrell, Alex Nankivell, Diarmuid Kilgallen; Jack Crowley, Craig Casey; Jeremy Loughman, Lee Barron, John Ryan; Edwin Edogbo, Tadhg Beirne (C); Jack O\u2019Donoghue, Alex Kendellen, Gavin Coombes.<\/p>\n
Replacements: Niall Scannell, Michael Milne, Michael Ala\u2019alatoa, Tom Ahern, Ruadh\u00e1n Quinn, Ben O\u2019Donovan, Se\u00e1n O\u2019Brien, John Hodnett.<\/p>\n
Unavailable For Selection This Week:<\/p>\n
Oli Jager (foot)<\/p>\n
Conor Bartley (neck)<\/p>\n
Fineen Wycherley (knee)<\/p>\n
Jean Kleyn (ankle)<\/p>\n
Diarmuid Barron (concussion)<\/p>\n
Brian Gleeson (concussion)<\/p>\n
Calvin Nash (concussion)<\/p>\n
Mike Haley (groin)<\/p>\n
Tickets<\/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