O’Mahony, Casey, Crowley and Nash start for Stade Francais showdown
Interim Munster Head Coach Ian Costello has made five changes to his Munster starting lineup for Saturday’s opening Investec Champions Cup clash with Stade Francais. Ireland internationals Peter O’Mahony, Craig Casey, Jack Crowley, Calvin Nash and Tadhg Beirne return to the matchday squad, although Conor Murray misses out due to a knock.
There are no changes to the Munster tight five forwards with Dian Bleuler winning a second consecutive start, as Diarmuid Barron captains the side from hooker alongside John Ryan in the front row. Behind them, Evan O’Connell and Fineen Wycherley are retained at second row after a stellar outing last Saturday.
O’Connell is one of three Champions Cup debutants in the squad along with Bleuler and substitute Kieran Ryan.
Peter O’Mahony is back for just his third appearance for the province this season, while in-form Alex Kendellen and Gavin Coombes make up the back row trio. The Irish 9/10 axis of Craig Casey and Jack Crowley start together again as does Alex Nankivell and Tom Farrell in midfield.
Rounding out the side is a new look back three combination. Shane Daly returns at full-back for what will be his 100th appearance for the province, while Calvin Nash and Thaakir Abrahams start on the wings.
The experienced Niall Scannell and Stephen Archer and academy prop Kieran Ryan are among the subs alongside club captain Tadhg Beirne, John Hodnett and Jack O’Donoghue. Paddy Patterson and Billy Burns are the only backs in reserve in a 6/2 bench split.
Oli Jager, Tom Ahern, Jean Kleyn and Conor Murray are all missing this week through injury, but there is hope that they can return in time for round two where Munster travel to France to face Castres.
The visiting Stade Francais, returning to Thomond Park for the first time in almost nine years, have decided to rotate for this one. Sitting at 12th place in the Top 14, Paul Gustard has decided to mix things up for a trip to Ireland.
They are captained by openside flanker Ryan Chapuis, while former La Rochelle back rower Yoan Tanga starts at number eight. England’s Joe Marchant is the most high-profile name in the backline, but Paul Alo-Emile, Setareki Turagacoke and Louis Carbonel will bring some fear factor from the replacements.
After a shock draw with Bayonne and losses to Toulouse and Northampton in recent years, Munster will be keen to use this game as a springboard to improved home form in Europe in the once renowned Thomond Park. Stade have never beaten Munster in Limerick but have the raw materials to buck that trend.
If Munster can win both home games in Europe this season, that should secure them a place in the round of 16, where three wins from the four pool games is often enough to grab a home knockout tie. So, although you cannot win the trophy on opening night, you can make life ten times tougher if you slip up, which Munster know all too well.
Kickoff in Thomond Park on Saturday is 5:30pm, and it is live on RTÉ 2 and Premier Sports 1. Elsewhere in the pool, Northampton Saints host Castres Olympique, while Saracens welcome the Vodacom Bulls.
Munster: Shane Daly; Calvin Nash, Tom Farrell, Alex Nankivell, Thaakir Abrahams; Jack Crowley, Craig Casey; Dian Bleuler, Diarmuid Barron (captain), John Ryan; Evan O’Connell, Fineen Wycherley, Peter O’Mahony, Alex Kendellen, Gavin Coombes
Replacements: Niall Scannell, Kieran Ryan, Stephen Archer, Tadhg Beirne, John Hodnett, Paddy Patterson, Billy Burns, Jack O’Donoghue
Stade Francais: Joe Jonas; Charles Laloi, Joe Marchant, Pierre Boudehent, Samuel Ezeala; Zack Henry, Thibaut Motass; Clement Castets, Lucas Peyresblanques, Francisco Gomez Kodela; Pierre-Henri Azagoh, Baptiste Pesenti; Pierre Huguet, Ryan Chapuis (captain), Yoan Tanga
Replacements: Luka Petriashvili, Moses Alo-Emile, Paul Alo-Emile, Setareki Turagacoke, Andy Timo, Juan Martin Scelzo, Louis Foursans-Bourdette, Louis Carbonel
Referee: Luke Pearce (Eng)
AR 1: Joe James (Eng) AR 2: Jamie Leahy (Eng)
TMO: Andrew Jackson (Eng)