flag
back Back
Sheehan switches to number eight for Munster derby
Dan Sheehan
Image caption, Dan Sheehan will captain Ireland in next month's Nations Championship games in Caelan Doris' absence

Leinster captain Dan Sheehan will start at number eight for the first time in Saturday's United Rugby Championship derby against Munster in Dublin.

The Ireland hooker switches to the back row as one of four changes made by head coach Leo Cullen for the Aviva Stadium game (18:00 BST) following last weekend's 48-23 Investec Champions Cup victory over Clermont Auvergne.

Ireland scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park makes his first appearance of the season, while former Munster out-half Joey Carbery earns his first start since rejoining Leinster, with Sam Prendergast not included.

Ronan Kelleher and Jamie Osborne are also drafted into the starting side, with Kelleher replacing Sheehan at hooker and Osborne joining Robbie Henshaw in midfield.

The hosts are seeking consecutive URC victories after bouncing back from opening defeats by the Lions and Sharks with a convincing win over Cardiff.

Leinster have collected eight points from their opening three league matches, including four bonus points.

Munster, meanwhile, have made seven changes to the side that defeated Racing 92 in the Champions Cup last weekend.

Shane Daly returns from injury, while Josh Wycherley, Kieran Brookes, Fineen Wycherley, Jack O'Donoghue, Alex Kendellen and Gavin Coombes are also drafted into the starting XV.

Former Ireland Under-20s international Sean O'Brien switches from the wing to outside centre as he prepares to make his 50th Munster appearance.

Mark Donnelly is in line for his first appearance of the season from the bench, with academy centre Gordon Wood also among the replacements.

Tadhg Beirne and Craig Casey - the only Munster players in Andy Farrell's latest Ireland squad - both start.

Munster have recovered from their opening URC defeat by Glasgow Warriors with a victory over the Bulls and a 26-26 draw against Ulster on October 10.

Leinster: Keenan; T O'Brien, Osborne, Henshaw, J O'Brien; Carbery, Gibson-Park; Porter, Kelleher, Furlong; J McCarthy, Ryan; Baird, Van der Flier, Sheehan (capt).

Replacements: G McCarthy, Usanov, Clarkson, O'Tighearnaigh, Penny, Gunne, Gabriel, Tector.

Munster: B O'Connor; McCarthy, S O'Brien, Nankivell, Daly; O'Shea, Casey; J Wycherley, Van der Merwe, Brookes; F Wycherley, Beirne (capt); O'Donoghue, Kendellen, Coombes.

Replacements: Clein, Donnelly, Ala'alatoa, Edogbo, Gleeson, B O'Donovan, Hanrahan, Wood.

You may like

Son of Wallabies great named in spring tour squad as Les Kiss turns to new faces

theguardian.com 15 hours ago

Australia call up son of World Cup winner Wilson

aol.com 11 hours ago

Ospreys and Dragons fully-loaded for St Helen's return

bbc.co.uk 1 day ago

Australia coach names uncapped Wilson, Lambert in squad for Nations Championship tests

straitstimes.com 17 hours ago

Could Frawley earn Ireland fly-half starting spot?

bbc.com 2 days ago

Jones wins 50th Irish cap as Flood and Wall return

bbc.co.uk 1 day ago

Eight of Ulster's Ireland call-ups to face Bulls

bbc.co.uk 1 day ago

Plumtree and Hawkins start for Scarlets at Stormers

aol.com 1 day ago

Italy missing 12 players for next month's Nations Championship

straitstimes.com 2 days ago

Wales milestone for Callender as Metcalfe sisters start

bbc.com 1 day ago