Craig Casey has been ruled out with a thigh injury as Munster Head Coach Clayton McMillan makes 12 changes to the 23, which earned a bonus point away to Scarlets in the season opener last week.
Munster face Cardiff in a round two URC clash in Thomond Park at 7.45pm this Saturday, marking the first competitive home game in charge for the new head coach.
McMillan has named Niall Scannell as captain following Casey’s injury. Alex Kendellen is also on the injury list with a high ankle sprain and could miss up to eight weeks.
Mike Haley also drops out due to injury, replaced by academy player Ben O’Connor. He joins an otherwise unchanged back three with wingers Shane Daly and Thaakir Abrahams.
Dan Kelly starts on his home debut, continuing his budding centre partnership with Alex Nankivell.
Half-backs Ethan Coughlan and Jack Crowley have been named to start together for the first time.
The front five remain unchanged from last week. Jeremy Loughman, Scannell and Oli Jager pack down in the front row with Jean Kleyn and Fineen Wycherley in the engine room.
Tom Ahern and Gavin Coombes step up from the bench to form a new look back-row with academy player Ruadhán Quinn.
Meanwhile, Jack O’Donoghue and Brian Gleeson, two standout performers from last week, form the backrow cover on the bench.
Hooker Diarmuid Barron and Academy prop Ronan Foxe are in line for their first appearance of the season off the bench. Josh Wycherley rounds out the front row replacements.
Paddy Patterson, Tony Butler and Seán O’Brien complete the 23 as the backline cover.
Munster: Ben O’Connor, Shane Daly, Dan Kelly, Alex Nankivell, Thaakir Abrahams; Jack Crowley, Ethan Coughlan; Jeremy Loughman, Niall Scannell (C), Oli Jager; Jean Kleyn, Fineen Wycherley; Tom Ahern, Ruadhán Quinn, Gavin Coombes.
Replacements: Diarmuid Barron, Josh Wycherley, Ronan Foxe, Jack O’Donoghue, Brian Gleeson, Paddy Patterson, Tony Butler, Seán O’Brien.