There are 6 changes from the side who lost to Castres last weekend
Ian Costello has made six changes to the Munster starting team for Friday night’s interprovincial URC showdown against Ulster on Friday. Shane Daly and Paddy Patterson start in the backline, with John Ryan, Tom Ahern, Jack O’Donoghue, and Gavin Coombes rejoining the forwards.
Munster come into this game off the back of a defeat in France which saw Dian Bleuler, Diarmuid Barron, Peter O’Mahony, Craig Casey, and Thaakir Abrahams all pick up knocks.
With Dian Bleuler sidelined after a failed HIA a week ago, 36-year-old Ryan starts again at loosehead prop, as he did against the Sharks in Round 6. He partners fellow former Ireland internationals Niall Scannell and Stephen Archer in an experienced front row tandem. In the second row, Tom Ahern wins just his third start of the season. The Waterford man replaces captain Tadhg Beirne who is on IRFU mandated rest, and partners Fineen Wycherley in the engine room.
Behind them Jack O’Donoghue captains the side from the blindside flank. The veteran was a replacement last week and starts in place of Peter O’Mahony who picked up a calf contusion in France. Try scorer and almost game winner John Hodnett retains the seven shirt with Gavin Coombes back at number eight, while Brian Gleeson reverts to the bench.
In the backs, Paddy Patterson starts at scrum half with Jack Crowley outside him. The Munster academy graduate makes a first start since March of last year, having impressed from the bench last weekend. Craig Casey’s meniscus injury paves the way for Patterson to attempt and build up some real form in the coming weeks.
There’s an experienced feel to the rest of the backline with Alex Nankivell and Tom Farrell again teaming up at centre, and a familiar back three combination of Shane Daly, Mike Haley and Calvin Nash.
On the replacements bench Eoghan Clarke, Ethan Coughlan and Evan O’Connell all return to the matchday 23. Rory Scannell is the only recognised outside back as Tipperary’s Brian Gleeson completes a 6/2 split.
The home side are also coming into this one after a disappointing defeat to French opposition a week prior. Richie Murphy has made five changes to his side with captain Alan O’Connor and fellow Dubliner John Cooney starting. Olympic star Zac Ward makes his URC debut on the wing while Jack Murphy, son of Richie and former Ireland under-20’s out-half, is set for his senior debut from the bench.
This is close to a “relegation six pointer” as both sides come into it outside the playoff places as we approach the midway point of the season. The Belfast natives are usually ruthless in Ravenhill, a ground where Munster have struggled in recent years; but they have lost to European heavyweights Bordeaux and also to Leinster there in the past month. Both sides are without a host of big names, but like any other interpro derby, it has the potential to take on a life of its own come kickoff time.
Munster: Mike Haley; Calvin Nash, Tom Farrell, Alex Nankivell, Shane Daly; Jack Crowley, Paddy Patterson; John Ryan, Niall Scannell, Stephen Archer; Tom Ahern, Fineen Wycherley, Jack O’Donoghue (captain), John Hodnett, Gavin Coombes.
Replacements: Eoghan Clarke, Dave Kilcoyne, Oli Jager, Evan O’Connell, Alex Kendellen, Ethan Coughlan, Rory Scannell, Brian Gleeson
Ulster: Michael Lowry; Werner Kok, Jude Postlethwaite, Stuart McCloskey, Zac Ward; Aidan Morgan, John Cooney; Andrew Warwick, Rob Herring, Tom O’Toole; Alan O’Connor (captain), Kieran Treadwell; James McNabney, Marcus Rea, David McCann.
Replacements: John Andrew, Eric O’Sullivan, Scott Wilson, Harry Sheridan, Matty Rea, Dave Shanahan, Jack Murphy, Rory Telfer
Referee: Ben Whitehouse (WRU)
AR 1: Andrew Cole (IRFU) AR 2: Sam Holt (IRFU)
TMO: Aled Griffiths (WRU)