Thaakir Abrahams among 3 big signing set to make Munster debut

Munster has named their team for Saturday’s United Rugby Championship opener against Connacht with new signings Thaakir Abrahams, Tom Farrell and Billy Burns set to make their regular season debuts.

Hooker Diarmuid Barron will captain the side, while Jean Kleyn returns from a 10-month injury absence to start in the second row.

Mike Haley starts at full-back, with Abrahams and Shane Daly, who played every minute of last season’s URC, on the wings. Ireland internationals Craig Casey and Billy Burns form a new half-back pairing. Alex Nankivell partners new signing Tom Farrell – who faces his old team – in midfield.

The front row consists of Jeremy Loughman, Barron, and John Ryan – with Kleyn and Fineen Wycherley in the second row. Ruadhán Quinn, John Hodnett, and Gavin Coombes complete the starting pack.

On the bench, Niall Scannell, Josh Wycherley and Oli Jager provide front-row cover. Alex Kendellen and Jack O’Donoghue complete the forward replacements.

Fixture

United Rugby Championship

Munster

35 - 33

Full-time

Connacht

All Stats and Data

Ethan Coughlan, Tony Butler and Seán O’Brien make up the backline replacements, with Coughlan and O’Brien also selected for Emerging Ireland’s upcoming tour.

Munster: Mike Haley; Thaakir Abrahams, Tom Farrell, Alex Nankivell, Shane Daly; Billy Burns, Craig Casey; Jeremy Loughman, Diarmuid Barron (C), John Ryan; Jean Kleyn, Fineen Wycherley; Ruadhán Quinn, John Hodnett, Gavin Coombes.

Replacements: Niall Scannell, Josh Wycherley, Oli Jager, Alex Kendellen, Jack O’Donoghue, Ethan Coughlan, Tony Butler, Seán O’Brien.