Munster and Connacht recall big guns for URC clash

Munster and Connacht recall big guns for URC clash
almost 4 years in The Irish Times

United Rugby Championship: Munster v Connacht
Kick-off: 7.35pm, Saturday. Venue: Thomond Park. On TV: Live on RTÉ2 and Premier Sport.
Munster and Connacht have both recalled a number of big names for their Saturday evening clash at Thomond Park with Peter O’Mahony coming in to captain the hosts while Bundee Aki makes his first appearance of the season for the visitors.
For Munster, 14 changes have been made by Johann van Graan with only Chris Cloete remaining from last week’s win over Scarlets.
British & Irish Lion Tadhg Beirne starts in the second row on his first appearance of the campaign. Mike Haley is named at full-back with Andrew Conway and Simon Zebo starting on either flank.
The half-backs are Craig Casey and Joey Carbery as Rory Scannell and Keith Earls form the centre partnership.
Dave Kilcoyne, Niall Scannell and John Ryan pack down in the front row with Jean Kleyn and Beirne in the engine room. Captain O’Mahony, Cloete and Gavin Coombes start in the back row.
Connacht also call on a Lion for his first start of the season as Aki comes in as one of five changes.
Aki forms a new-look partnership with Sammy Arnold at centre, while John Porch is drafted into the back three alongside fellow winger Mack Hansen and full-back Tiernan O’Halloran. Caolin Blade and Jack Carty are retained, with Carty named as captain for the game.
The front-row of Matthew Burke, Dave Heffernan and Finlay Bealham is unchanged, while Niall Murray comes into the second row alongside Ultan Dillane. The final switch sees Conor Oliver start at openside flanker, with Cian Prendergast on the opposite flank and Paul Boyle at number 8.
Munster: Mike Haley; Andrew Conway, Keith Earls, Rory Scannell, Simon Zebo; Joey Carbery, Craig Casey; Dave Kilcoyne, Niall Scannell, John Ryan; Jean Kleyn, Tadhg Beirne; Peter O’Mahony (C), Chris Cloete, Gavin Coombes.
Replacements: Diarmuid Barron, Jeremy Loughman, Stephen Archer, Fineen Wycherley, Jack O’Donoghue, Neil Cronin, Jake Flannery, Dan Goggin.
Connacht: Tiernan O’Halloran; John Porch, Sammy Arnold, Bundee Aki, Mack Hansen; Jack Carty (C), Caolin Blade; Matthew Burke, Dave Heffernan, Finlay Bealham; Niall Murray, Ultan Dillane; Cian Prendergast, Conor Oliver, Paul Boyle.
Replacements: Shane Delahunt, Greg McGrath, Jack Aungier, Eoghan Masterson, Abraham Papali’I, Kieran Marmion, Jarrad Butler, Tom Daly.