Munster boss Rowntree makes three changes for visit of Glasgow
FROM THE START: Alex Nankivell during Munster rugby squad training at University of Limerick in Limerick. Pic: Sam Barnes/Sportsfile
Munster head coach Graham Rowntree has recalled backs Alex Nankivell and Seán O'Brien for the Musgrave Park clash with Glasgow Warriors on Friday night.
Nankivell and O'Brien represent two of the three alterations from the loss to rivals Leinster last weekend. The other comes in the second-row, as Edwin Edogbo returns to the starting 15 in place of the injured Jean Kleyn, who penned a new deal at the province this week.
Elsewhere, Oli Jager is included among the replacements and is in line to make his Munster debut after recently joining the province from New Zealand outfit, the Crusaders.
Shane Daly, Calvin Nash and O’Brien start in the back three with Nankivell and Antoine Frisch in midfield as Craig Casey and Jack Crowley continue their half-back partnership.
In the pack, Diarmuid Barron continues as captain. He is joined in the front-row by Stephen Archer and Jeremy Loughman.
Edogbo partners Tadhg Beirne in the engine room, Tom Ahern continues in the six jersey, while newly-contracted John Hodnett is named at openside flanker. Gavin Coombes completes the back-row.
Scott Buckley, Dave Kilcoyne and Jager provide the front-row back-up with Fineen Wycherley, Academy back row Brian Gleeson and Alex Kendellen completing the forward cover. Kendellen is set to make his 50th Munster appearance.
Conor Murray and Rory Scannell are the backline replacements.
On the injury front, Kleyn, John Ryan and Simon Zebo miss out selection due to knocks.
S Daly; C Nash, A Frisch, A Nankivell, S O'Brien; J Crowley, C Casey; J Loughman, D Barron (C), S Archer; E Edogbo, T Beirne; T Ahern, J Hodnett, G Coombes.
S Buckley, D Kilcoyne, O Jager, F Wycherley, B Gleeson, C Murray, R Scannell, A Kendellen.
