The 20 year-old is making his competitive debut in Thomond Park on Saturday Night
A new era of a familiar family playing for Munster will commence on Saturday night as youngster Evan O’Connell makes his competitive debut in round 7 of the URC as Munster play host to the Emirates Lions. The Limerick lock is one of seven changes from the side who lost to the All Blacks XV earlier in the month with Alex Nankivell and Thaakir Abrahams among the high profile returnees.
O’Connell joins famous uncle Paul in starting for Munster in Thomond Park, after an amazing year where he proudly captained Ireland’s under-20s through the Six Nations and World Cup.
While O’Connell will deservedly take most of the spotlight, there is another debutant in the pack in the form of Dian Bleuler. The South African loosehead prop signed for Munster on a short-term deal during the November break as injury cover for Jeremy Loughman and will be keen to hit the ground running at his new club. He starts alongside captain Diarmuid Barron and the experienced John Ryan in the front row, with O’Connell teaming up with Fineen Wycherley behind them.
Jack O’Donoghue and Alex Kendellen both return to the starting fifteen in the back-row. Kendellen is back in training following his first Ireland call-up and slots in beside O’Donoghue and Gavin Coombes who gets the number 8 shirt.
Ethan Coughlan and Billy Burns are the half-back partnership once again with fit-again Alex Nankivell and in-form Tom Farrell joining them in an exciting midfield axis. Thaakir Abrahams has recovered from injury in time to face his fellow countrymen, as he starts on the wing. Academy flyer Shay McCarthy and Mike Haley round out the starting team.
On the bench Munster have a mix of youth and experience to call upon. Niall Scannell, Kieran Ryan and Stephen Archer cover the front row, with Ruadhán Quinn and John Hodnett the other forward cover. Tom Ahern picked up a knock midweek and is absent, leaving Munster with no replacement second row in reserve. Paddy Patterson, Tony Butler and Shane Daly finish out a strong matchday 23.
The visiting Emirates Lions were in fine form prior to the URC’s break, sitting in fourth spot with four wins from an opening five games. They have been able to welcome back their frontline stars too with Springboks Morne van der Berg, Edwill van der Merwe and Quan Horn all starting. The flashy Sanele Nohamba will be keen to make a difference from the bench, while all eyes will be on powerful prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye. The 153kg behemoth has been linked with a move to Toulouse in recent weeks and will be keen to show his game-changing pedigree at scrum time.
Kickoff in Thomond Park on Saturday is 7:35pm. Tickets are still on sale but if you cannot make it to Limerick, it is live on TG4 Player, Premier Sports and URC TV.
Munster: Mike Haley; Shay McCarthy, Tom Farrell, Alex Nankivell, Thaakir Abrahams; Billy Burns, Ethan Coughlan; Dian Bleuler, Diarmuid Barron (Captain), John Ryan; Evan O’Connell, Fineen Wycherley; Jack O’Donoghue, Alex Kendellen, Gavin Coombes.
Replacements: Niall Scannell, Kieran Ryan, Stephen Archer, Ruadhán Quinn, John Hodnett, Paddy Patterson, Tony Butler, Shane Daly.
Emirates Lions: Quan Horn; Richard Kriel, Henco van Wyk, Marius Louw, Edwill van der Merwe; Kade Wolhuter, Morne van der Berg; Juan Schoeman, PJ Botha, Asenathi Ntlabakanye; Ruben Schoeman, Ruan Delport; Jarod Cairns, WJ Steenkamp, Francke Horn.
Replacements: Franco Marias, Morgan Naude, Conrad van Vuuren, Reinhard Nothnagal, JC Pretorius, Sanele Nohamba, Tapiwa Mafura, Erich Cronje.
Referee: Adam Jones (WRU)
AR 1: Keane Davison (IRFU) AR 2: Padraic Reidy (IRFU)
TMO: Keith David (WRU)