The Munster team has been named for Friday’s sold-out URC Round Nine derby against Leinster at Thomond Park and Ireland star Tadhg Beirne returns to lead the home side.

There are seven changes to the side that recorded a bonus-point victory away to Ulster last week.

Ireland utility forward Beirne returns to lead the home side with Rory Scannell, Billy Burns, Ethan Coughlan, Dian Bleuler, Oli Jager and Alex Kendellen also coming into the starting XV.

Positional switch for Tom Ahern

There is also a positional switch for Tom Ahern as he moves to the back-row.

Meanwhile, Mike Haley, Calvin Nash and Shane Daly form an unchanged back three with Rory Scannell and last week’s Player of the Match Tom Farrell lining up in midfield.

Coughlan and Burns start together in the half-backs.

Bleuler has completed the return-to-play protocols to make his fourth start at loosehead prop with Niall Scannell and Oli Jager completing the front-row.

Fineen Wycherley and Beirne start in the engine room with Ahern, Alex Kendellen and Gavin Coombes completing the starting XV.

Diarmuid Barron, Academy prop Kieran Ryan and John Ryan provide the front-row back-up with Brian Gleeson and John Hodnett completing the forward cover.

Paddy Patterson, Tony Butler and Munster Academy back-three player Ben O’Connor are the backline replacements.

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On the injury front, Peter O’Mahony (calf contusion), Conor Murray (elbow) and Jack O’Donoghue (shoulder) were unavailable for selection.

In line with IRFU player management guidelines, Jack Crowley was unavailable for selection.

Ireland skipper returns for Leinster

Meanwhile, Leinster have also received a boost with the news that Ireland captain Caelan Doris is back into the mix to skipper his province against their arch-rivals this crunch URC derby.

Leinster head coach Leo Cullen has made a number of changes from the squad that beat Connacht in front of nearly 34,000 at Aviva Stadium last weekend.

Jamie Osborne makes a welcome return from injury and starts at full-back, with Tommy O’Brien and Jimmy O’Brien lining up on the wings.

Robbie Henshaw and Garry Ringrose form a familiar-looking partnership in the centres, with Luke McGrath and Sam Prendergast starting in the half backs.

In the pack, Jack Boyle, Rónan Kelleher and Rabah Slimani are the front-row selected by Cullen, with Joe McCarthy and James Ryan back this week in the engine room.

Ryan Baird, Josh van der Flier – making his 150th appearance in the blue of Leinster – and Doris complete the starting XV for Cullen.

Munster: 15 Mike Haley, 14 Calvin Nash, 13 Tom Farrell, 12 Rory Scannell, 11 Shane Daly, 10 Billy Burns, 9 Ethan Coughlan, 8 Gavin Coombes, 7 Alex Kendellen, 6 Tom Ahern, 5 Tadhg Beirne (c), 4 Fineen Wycherley, 3 Oli Jager, 2 Niall Scannell, 1 Dian Bleuler
Replacements: 16 Diarmuid Barron, 17 Kieran Ryan, 18 John Ryan, 19 Brian Gleeson, 20 John Hodnett, 21 Paddy Patterson, 22 Tony Butler, 23 Ben O’Connor

Leinster: 15 Jamie Osborne 14 Tommy O’Brien, 13 Garry Ringrose, 12 Robbie Henshaw, 11 Jimmy O’Brien, 10 Sam Prendergast, 9 Luke McGrath, 8 Caelan Doris (c), 7 Josh van der Flier, 6 Ryan Baird, 5 James Ryan, 4 Joe McCarthy, 3 Rabah Slimani, 2 Rónan Kelleher, 1 Jack Boyle
Replacements: 16 Lee Barron, 17 Andrew Porter, 18 Cian Healy, 19 Brian Deeny, 20 Scott Penny, 21 Fintan Gunne, 22 Ross Byrne, 23 Jordan Larmour

Venue: Thomond Park
Kick-off: 19:35 BST
Referee: Sam Grove-White (SRU)
Assistant Referees: Keane Davison (IRFU), Chris Lough (IRFU)
TMO: Mike Adamson (SRU)

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