Team News: Cian Hurley to make Munster debut against Benetton

Munster have named a young team to take on Benetton tomorrow evening at Thomond Park (6pm KO)

With Munster already qualified for the PRO14 Final against Leinster on the 27th of Match, this fixture brings an excellent opportunity to blood promising youngsters.

20 year-old Clonakility second row Cian Hurley makes his debut while Paddy Paterson, Diarmuid Barron and Jake Flannery are all in line for their first starts.

Liam O’Connor, Diarmuid Barron and 21 year-old South African prop Keynan Knox make up the front row. Academy stars Thomas Ahern and debutant Hurley start in the second and are supported by a backrow of captain Jack O’Donoghue, Chris Cloete and another promising Cork man Jack O’Sullivan.

Leinster loanee Paddy Patteron partners JJ Hanrahan at halfback. There is further Cork flavour in the centre where Rory Scannell and Alex McHenry start together for the first time.

Liam Coombes, Andrew Conway and Shannon RFC’s Jake Flannery complete the side in the back three.

In further good news, Summer signing Matt Gallagher makes the bench after a long spell on the sidelines.

MUNSTER: Jake Flannery; Andrew Conway, Alex McHenry, Rory Scannell, Liam Coombes; JJ Hanrahan, Paddy Patterson; Liam O’Connor, Diarmuid Barron, Keynan Knox; Cian Hurley, Thomas Ahern; Jack O’Donoghue (C), Chris Cloete, Jack O’Sullivan. 

Replacements: Rhys Marshall, Jeremy Loughman, Roman Salanoa, Jack Daly, Tommy O’Donnell, Nick McCarthy, Ben Healy, Matt Gallagher.