Munster have made seven changes for Saturday's BKT United Rugby Championship clash against Dragons at Musgrave Park (Live on RTÉ2/RTÉ Player) as Ireland international Joey Carbery faces surgery and World Cup players Craig Casey and Jack Crowley return to the squad.
Summer additions Alex Nankivell and Seán O’Brien also make their first starts for Munster with Nankivell at outside centre and O’Brien on the wing.
Academy out-half Tony Butler makes his first competitive start after Carbery was injured against Benetton and is partnered by Casey in the half-backs.
After undergoing a scan, Carbery will visit a specialist for wrist surgery next week.
The 27-year-old missed out on Ireland's Rugby World Cup and Six Nations squads this year and despite being fit at the end of last season was kept out of the Munster squad that won the URC title by Crowley and the now departed Ben Healy.
Three changes to the pack from the side that drew with Benettonsee John Ryan, Tom Ahern and Alex Kendellen come in, with Ryan making his first start since returning from the Chiefs in New Zealand.
Seven academy players are included as Butler, Kieran Ryan and Edwin Edogbo all start with Mark Donnelly, Ruadhán Quinn, Brian Gleeson and Ben O’Connor among the replacements. If he features, UCC man and All-Ireland U20 hurling winner O’Connor will make his senior Munster debut after joining the academy in the summer.
Out-half Crowley is included among the replacements after rejoining squad training ahead of the game.
Shane Daly starts at full-back with O’Brien and Calvin Nash on either wing. Rory Scannell and Nankivell pair up in midfield with Casey and Butler in the half-backs.
Kieran Ryan, Diarmuid Barron and John Ryan pack down in the front row with Edogbo and Ahern in the engine room. Captain Jack O’Donoghue, Kendellen and Gavin Coombes complete the side.
Scott Buckley, Mark Donnelly and Stephen Archer provide the front row back-up as Ruadhán Quinn and Brian Gleeson complete the forward cover. Paddy Patterson, Jack Crowley and Ben O’Connor are the backline replacements.
Munster: Shane Daly; Seán O’Brien, Alex Nankivell, Rory Scannell, Calvin Nash; Tony Butler, Craig Casey; Kieran Ryan, Diarmuid Barron, John Ryan; Edwin Edogbo, Tom Ahern; Jack O’Donoghue (C), Alex Kendellen, Gavin Coombes.
Replacements: Scott Buckley, Mark Donnelly, Stephen Archer, Ruadhán Quinn, Brian Gleeson, Paddy Patterson, Jack Crowley, Ben O’Connor.
Leinster show just one change for their clash with Edinburgh at the RDS on Saturday (also live on RTÉ2/RTÉ Player) .
James Culhane replaces Rhys Ruddock in the only change to the starting team that defeated Sharks last weekend.
As a result, it's as you were in the backs, with Ciarán Frawley starting at full-back and try-scorers from last weekend Tommy O'Brien and Jordan Larmour on the wings. Jamie Osborne and Charlie Ngatai are in the centre, with Harry Byrne and Cormac Foley completing the back line.
In the pack, Jack Boyle, Lee Barron and Michael Ala'alatoa form the front row. Ross Molony and Jason Jenkins retain their places in the heart of the pack for the third game in succession, with Max Deegan, captain Scott Penny and Culhane in the back row.
Among the replacements, Ruddock brings the experience to the bench while last week’s debutant Dylan Donnellan could be in line for his second senior appearance.
Leinster: Ciarán Frawley, Tommy O'Brien, Jamie Osborne, Charlie Ngatai, Jordan Larmour,. Harry Byrne, Cormac Foley, Jack Boyle, Lee Barron, Michael Ala’alatoa, Ross Molony, Jason Jenkins, Max Deegan, Scott Penny, James Culhane.
Replacements: Dylan Donnellan, Paddy McCarthy, Rory McGuire, Brian Deeny, Rhys Ruddock, Ben Murphy, Sam Prendergast, Rob Russell.
Watch Leinster v Edinburgh (Saturday 3.05pm) and Munster v Dragons (Saturday 5.15pm) in the URC on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player
