A victory could temporarily send Munster to the top of the URC table.
Munster will take on Ulster in round four of the United Rugby Championship tonight (November 10) at 7:35pm at Belfast’s Kingspan Stadium.
It’s the first Interpro derby of the season for Graham Rowntree’s side who remain one of three sides unbeaten in the league thus far after three games.
Their sizeable 45-14 win over Wales’ Dragons RFC on November 4 puts the team in a confident position for tonight’s clash, an achievement gained largely without help from their missing World Cup players.
In team news, Diarmuid Barron is set to captain the Munster team for the first time, with Fineen Wycherley starting on his 100th appearance for the team.
The back line consists of Antoine Frisch and Jack Crowley, with Fineen Wycherley and John Hodnett and returning from his World cup season Jeremy Loughman starting in the position.
Shane Daly takes the full back position with previous man of the match Calvin Nash, who will return tonight despite limping off the field last weekend. Seán O’Brien will be swapping wings with Nash.
Alex Nankivell will be moving to the inside centre starting with Antoine Frisch in midfield for the first time. Craig Casey and the returning Jack Crowley will also be starting together in the half-back line for the first time this season.
Jeremy Loughman, Diarmuid Barron and John Ryan make up the front row with Edwin Edogbo and Wycherley in the engine room.
Alex Kendellen, John Hodnett and Gavin Coombes finish the starting XV.
Players Scott Buckley, Josh Wycherley and Stephen Archer provide front row back up with Tom Ahern and Brian Gleeson completing the front cover.
Paddy Patterson, Rory Scannell and Ben O’Conner will be the blackline replacements.
Due to illness, Jack O’Donoghue was not considered for selection.
Opponents Ulster are hoping to return to winning ways after their defeat against Connacht at the start of the campaign. Tom Stewart is set to captain the team tonight.
With only one loss so far this campaign for Ulster and the Munster side hoping to defend their winning streak, tonight’s game promises to be an exhilarating 80 minutes.
The match will be shown live on RTÉ 2, BBC 2 & Premier Sports 1. It will also be streamed on RTÉ Player and the BBC iplayer in the North.
