McCarthy to make Champions Cup debut as Beirne captains side | Munster Team News

Winger Shay McCarthy is set to start on his Champions Cup debut, and he is one of three Academy players involved in the squad.

The Munster team has been named for Saturday’s Investec Champions Cup opener against Bayonne at Thomond Park, kicking off at 5:30pm.

Graham Rowntree has made six changes to his starting XV from last week’s win over Glasgow Warriors at Musgrave Park, as Tadhg Beirne captains the side.

Winger Shay McCarthy is set to start on his Champions Cup debut, and he is one of three Academy players involved in the squad.

Patrick Campbell and Simon Zebo are both ruled out, the pair struggling with injuries.

They join Edwin Edogbo, Diarmuid Barron, Shane Daly and Oli Jager, who are all unavailable for selection due to minor injuries.

Rory Scannell, Conor Murray, Scott Buckley, John Ryan and Fineen Wycherley all come into the side.

There is a Champions Cup debut for Alex Nankivell, as Tom Ahern makes his first start in the competition, with Calvin Nash starting at full-back for Munster for the first time.

Full-back Nash is joined in the back three by wingers McCarthy and Seán O’Brien, who is another set to make his first Champions Cup appearance for Munster.

Scannell and Nankivell start together in midfield with Murray and Jack Crowley in the half-backs.

Jeremy Loughman, Buckley and John Ryan pack down in the front row, with Wycherley and captain Beirne in the engine room.

Ahern, John Hodnett and Gavin Coombes start together in the back row for the third game in succession.

Former players Keith Earls and Andrew Conway will take to the pitch at half-time, as the Munster faithful will get the opportunity to show their appreciation for the fantastic contribution they made to the province.

Match tickets are available here.

Munster: Calvin Nash; Shay McCarthy, Alex Nankivell, Rory Scannell, Seán O’Brien; Jack Crowley, Conor Murray; Jeremy Loughman, Scott Buckley, John Ryan; Fineen Wycherley, Tadhg Beirne (C); Tom Ahern, John Hodnett, Gavin Coombes.

Replacements: Eoghan Clarke, Josh Wycherley, Stephen Archer, Jack O’Donoghue, Alex Kendellen, Craig Casey, Tony Butler, Ben O’Connor.