Munster name team for Crusaders “Clash of Champions”

Alex Kendellen captains Munster for the first time with Academy trio Ethan Coughlan, Shay McCarthy and Ruadhán Quinn all starting.

The Munster team has been named for Saturday’s clash against Crusaders at Páirc Uí Chaoimh (kick-off 5pm).

Pinergy are the presenting partner for the game with a capacity crowd of 40,885 to attend. There will be live TV coverage on TG4 and live commentary on Access Munster. Sign up to Access Munster for just €4 here.

Graham Rowntree has named his side, as Alex Kendellen captains Munster for the first time with Academy trio Ethan Coughlan, Shay McCarthy and Ruadhán Quinn all starting.

It will be Quinn’s first start for Munster after becoming the province’s youngest player in the professional era at the age of 18 last season.

Antoine Frisch joins Christchurch native Alex Nankivell to continue their centre partnership, with Coughlan and Carbery, who is in the starting XV for the first time since October, in the half-backs.

Full-back Daly, Seán O’Brien and McCarthy make up the back three.

Eoghan Clarke makes his first start for the province, joined by Stephen Archer and Josh Wycherley in the front row, with Coombes and Fineen Wycherley in the engine room.

Quinn, Kendellen and Jack O’Sullivan complete the starting XV.

Munster: Shane Daly; Seán O’Brien, Antoine Frisch, Alex Nankivell, Shay McCarthy; Joey Carbery, Ethan Coughlan; Josh Wycherley, Eoghan Clarke, Stephen Archer; Gavin Coombes, Fineen Wycherley; Ruadhán Quinn, Alex Kendellen (C), Jack O’Sullivan.

Replacements: Scott Buckley, Mark Donnelly, John Ryan, Kamil Nowak, Jack Daly, Daniel Okeke, Neil Cronin, Tony Butler, Rory Scannell, Colm Hogan.

Crusaders: Leigh Halfpennny; Chay Fihaki, Levi Aumua, Dallas McLeod, Macca Springer; Taha Kemara, Mitch Drummond; George Bower, George Bell, Owen Franks; Quinten Strange (C), Tahlor Cahill; Dominic Gardiner, Tom Christie, Cullen Grace.

Replacements: Ioane Moananu, Kershawl Sykes-Martin, Seb Calder, Jamie Hannah, Christian Lio-Willie, Noah Hotham, Rivez Reihana, Ryan Crotty, Josh Southall, Heremaia Murray.