Munster have been dealt a blow ahead of Saturday's BKT United Rugby Championship meeting with Connacht, with Jack Crowley ruled out with a leg injury.
The out-half had been a late withdrawal from the side that comfortably saw off Ulster at Thomond Park two weeks ago, but appeared to be on track to feature this weekend when the province confirmed on Tuesday he was fit and available for selection.
However, Crowley has been added back to the list of absentees this week, joining captain Tadhg Beirne, second row Jean Kleyn, props Michael Milne and Oli Jager, centre Tom Farrell and wing Calvin Nash.
Head coach Clayton McMillan has made five changes from the side that started the win against Ulster, with Mike Haley, Dan Kelly, Michael Ala’alatoa, Fineen Wycherley and Edwin Edogbo all coming in.
The province will guarantee their place in the URC play-offs with a win at Dexcom Stadium.
Ala’alatoa starts at tighthead prop in place of the injured Jager, joining Jeremy Loughman and Diarmuid Barron in the front row, while Wycherley and Edogbo pack down in the second row, after Beirne and Kleyn were sidelined.
The back row is unchanged as Gavin Coombes starts at number 8, flanked by Tom Ahern and John Hodnett, the latter of whom scored four tries in the win against Ulster.
Craig Casey captains the side at scrum-half, joined by JJ Hanrahan for the second game in a row, with Dan Kelly and Alex Nankivell in the centre.
Haley starts at full-back as Shane Daly pivots to the right wing, with Andrew Smith starting on the left wing for the third game in a row.
Alex Kendellen, who scored a hat-trick off the bench last time out, must contend with a spot among the replacements, but will make his 100th Munster appearance if called upon.
Connacht will name their matchday squad on Friday afternoon, but the province have confirmed a new contract for back row Shamus Hurley-Langton.
The 26-year-old has established himself as a fan favourite at the Sportsground since joining in 2022, scoring 16 tries in 64 appearances.
The New Zealand native’s new deal will keep him at the province until the summer of 2027, by which point he is set to become Irish-qualified through the five-year residency rule.
Munster Rugby: Mike Haley; Shane Daly, Alex Nankivell, Dan Kelly, Andrew Smith; JJ Hanrahan, Craig Casey (capt); Jeremy Loughman, Diarmuid Barron, Michael Ala’alatoa; Edwin Edogbo, Fineen Wycherley; Tom Ahern, John Hodnett, Gavin Coombes.
Replacements: Lee Barron, Josh Wycherley, Conor Bartley, Jack O’Donoghue, Brian Gleeson, Ben O’Donovan, Seán O’Brien, Alex Kendellen.
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