Munster have named five debutants in their starting team for Sunday's Heineken Champions Cup opener against Wasps in Coventry (3.15pm).

Seven of the eight replacements named by Johann van Graan will also make their debuts if sprung from the bench.

None of those players named in the matchday 23 were involved in the abandoned tour of South Africa, despite hints from Van Graan that some were being considered.

While the Munster head coach has been able to name a loaded backline, which sees Chris Farrell return from injury for his first game of the season, they've given a debut to Patrick Campbell at full-back, with the former Cork minor footballer having only joined the academy last month.

Darragh McSweeney (l) and Conor Moloney arrive for squad training

Seasoned internationals Conor Murray, Joey Carbery, Andrew Conway, Keith Earls and Damian de Allende are also named in a strong backline, with Dave Kilcoyne, Tadhg Beirne and captain Peter O'Mahony included, as well as John Hodnett who has recovered from injury.

However, four of the starting pack will be making their debuts, with 19-year-old Limerick man Daniel Okeke starting at number eight.

Waterford's Eoin O'Connor will partner Beirne in the second row for his first senior appearance, while in the front row there are debuts for Cork pair Scott Buckley and James French, the latter of whom is a member of the senior squad.

The two-time champions will be seriously tested later in the game, with seven of their eight replacements in line to make their debuts for the province.

Roman Salanoa is the only one of those who has first-team experience. Summer addition Declan Moore and Academy quartet Mark Donnelly, Ethan Coughlan, Tony Butler and Jonathan Wren are all included.

Also named are Cork Constitution's John Forde, a product of PBC and member of the Provincial Talent Squad, and Young Munster’s Conor Moloney, a member of the National Talent Squad.

Munster: Patrick Campbell; Andrew Conway, Chris Farrell, Damian de Allende, Keith Earls; Joey Carbery, Conor Murray; Dave Kilcoyne, Scott Buckley, James French; Eoin O’Connor, Tadhg Beirne; Peter O’Mahony (capt), John Hodnett, Daniel Okeke.

Replacements: Declan Moore, Mark Donnelly, Roman Salanoa, John Forde, Conor Moloney, Ethan Coughlan, Tony Butler, Jonathan Wren.

Meanwhile, Duane Vermeulen will make his Ulster debut in the Champions Cup opener away to ASM Clermont Auvergne tomorrow (5.30pm).

The South African World Cup winner arrived in Belfast last week and tested positive for Covid-19 but has now cleared all the protocols and gets his Ulster career under way in France.

The Springboks star is among five changes to the team that faced Ospreys last weekend.

The front row sees changes at loosehead and hooker, with Andrew Warwick and Rob Herring coming in to start alongside tighthead prop Tom O'Toole.

Alan O’Connor will skipper the Ulster side, with Kieran Treadwell joining him in the second row.

Marcus Rea gets the nod at blindside flanker, with Nick Timoney retained at openside and Vermeulen packing down in the number 8 jersey.

Behind the pack, Ireland international James Hume is the sole change to the Ulster backline.

John Cooney and Billy Burns retain their half-back partnership, with outside centre Hume coming in to partner Stuart McCloskey in midfield.

Ethan McIlroy, Robert Baloucoune and Mike Lowry make up a dynamic looking back three.

The Ulster coaching group has opted for a 6-2 split on the bench, with back-row Sean Reidy in line to make his 150th appearance if called upon.

John Andrew, Jack McGrath, Ross Kane, Sam Carter and Greg Jones are the other forwards options, with Nathan Doak and Stewart Moore providing the back line reinforcements.

Former Munster out-half JJ Hanrahan will start for the hosts.

Ulster: Mike Lowry; Robert Baloucoune, James Hume, Stuart McCloskey, Ethan McIlroy; Billy Burns, John Cooney; Andrew Warwick, Rob Herring, Tom O'Toole; Alan O’Connor (capt), Kieran Treadwell; Marcus Rea, Nick Timoney, Duane Vermeulen.

Replacements: John Andrew, Jack McGrath, Ross Kane, Sam Carter, Greg Jones, Sean Reidy, Nathan Doak, Stewart Moore.

Elsewhere, Connacht have made several changes for Sunday's visit of Stade Francais to the Sportsground (1pm) in Pool B.

Ultan Dillane is absent for Andy Friend's side, so Niall Murray returns to the second row, where he is partnered by Oisin Dowling who was a late withdrawal from last week's team to face Leinster at the RDS.

Cian Prendergast made his return from injury off the bench a week ago, and comes back into the starting team at blindside flanker as Eoghan Masterson drops to the bench.

In the pack, Friend continues to rotate his hookers as Shane Delahunt swaps with Dave Heffernan, to pack down in between Matthew Burke and Finlay Bealham.

In the backline, Mack Hansen has been pulled from the team on Friday evening, having initially been picked to start on the wing. John Porch takes his place on the left wing, while Caolin Blade and Shayne Bolton also come into the side.

"Sunday is the start of a really exciting opportunity for us to make an impact in the Champions Cup," said head coach Andy Friend.

"Knockout rugby in the competition is the aim so a win this weekend is vital if we want to get there, albeit against a very strong Stade Francais team.

"There's been some special occasions at our home in this competition so with a strong Sportsground crowd behind us it's set up to be a great occasion".

Connacht: Oran McNulty; Alex Wootton, Shayne Bolton, Sammy Arnold, John Porch; Jack Carty (capt), Caolin Blade; Matthew Burke, Shane Delahunt, Finlay Bealham; Oisin Dowing, Niall Murray; Cian Prendergast, Conor Oliver, Jarrad Butler.

Replacements: Dave Heffernan, Jordan Duggan, Dominic Robertson-McCoy, Eoghan Masterson, Sean Masterson, Kieran Marmion, Conor Fitzgerald, Diarmuid Kilgallen.

Meanwhile, Leinster welcome back Jamison Gibson-Park but have been hit by three positive Covid-19 cases.

Rhys Ruddock captain's the team to face Bath tomorrow (3.15pm, Aviva Stadium) from blind side wing forward.

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