Team News: Joey Carbery starts in exciting Munster team to take on Scarlets

JOEY Carbery will make his first start for Munster since January 2020 tomorrow evening against Scarlets at Thomond Park (8pm KO).

Carbery has made two substitute appearances in recent weeks but his fitness will now be put fully to the test against a strong Scarlets side.

Johann Van Graan has named a side with a healthy blend of experience and promise meaning Joey Carbery is not the only exciting name on the teamsheet. 22 year-old backrower Jack O’Sullivan starts with other youngsters Thomas Ahern, Alex Kendellen and Jack Crowley among the substitutes.

Should powerful number eight Kendellen come on it would see the Corkman make his Munster debut just nine days after his 20th birthday.

Munster may have already secured a PRO14 final berth against Leinster but it will still be fascinating to watch Joey Carbery and such brilliant young talent gear up for the business end of the season.

Previewing the match on Tuesday was Munster assistant coach Stephen Larkham who commented “We’re definitely looking for guys to earn their spot for the final.

“We’ve got guys coming back from the Six Nations. Some guys didn’t travel up to the national camp this week, other guys are coming back next week.

“That rotation between ourselves and the national squad is very difficult to manage but we are looking for not only game performance but training performance.”

Munster: Mike Haley; Calvin Nash, Damian de Allende, JJ Hanrahan, Shane Daly; Joey Carbery, Nick McCarthy; James Cronin, Niall Scannell, Stephen Archer; Jean Kleyn, Billy Holland (C); Fineen Wycherley, Jack O’Sullivan, Gavin Coombes.

Replacements: Kevin O’Byrne, Jeremy Loughman, John Ryan, Thomas Ahern, Alex Kendellen, Paddy Patterson, Jack Crowley, Darren Sweetnam.