Munster

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Irish rugby fans will not be treated to an intriguing fly-half duel between Leinster's Sam Prendergast and Munster's Jack Crowley with the latter set to miss Friday's United Rugby Championship interpro at Thomond Park (19:35 GMT).

Prendergast and Crowley have been battling for the Ireland 10 jersey with each player starting two of last month's Autumn Nations Series matches.

But while Prendergast, who was preferred for Ireland's two most recent wins over Fiji and Australia, starts for Leinster, Crowley has been ruled out because of Irish Rugby Football Union [IRFU] player management guidelines with Billy Burns named to start.

Crowley's absence is a further blow for Munster interim head coach Ian Costello, who is without several players amid a mounting injury list.

Earlier this week, Thaakir Abrahams (shoulder), Craig Casey (knee) and Jean Kleyn (thigh) were ruled out for approximately four months while Alex Nankivell (hamstring) is also unavailable.

In addition, Peter O'Mahony (calf contusion), Conor Murray (elbow) and Jack O'Donoghue (shoulder) have failed to regain their fitness in time for Friday's game.

Munster make seven changes from their win over Ulster in Belfast. Tadhg Beirne returns as captain, with Rory Scannell, Billy Burns, Ethan Coughlan, Dian Bleuler, Oli Jager and Alex Kendellen also recalled.

Fit-again Jamie Osborne Ireland back returns for Leinster after missing the last three games with the groin injury he sustained on international duty last month.

His inclusion is one of 11 changes made by head coach Leo Cullen, who has recalled Ireland internationals Prendergast, Robbie Henshaw and Garry Ringrose to his backline after last week's win over Connacht.

Ronan Kelleher, Gus McCarthy, James Ryan, Ryan Baird, Josh van der Flier and Caelan Doris are reinstated to the Leinster pack, but New Zealand international Jordie Barrett has not been included in the 23.

Springbok lock RG Snyman, who left Munster to join Leinster last summer, is also missing from Cullen's matchday squad.

Munster: Mike Haley; Calvin Nash, Tom Farrell, Rory Scannell, Shane Daly; Billy Burns, Ethan Coughlan; Dian Bleuler, Niall Scannell, Oli Jager; Fineen Wycherley, Tadhg Beirne (capt); Tom Ahern, Alex Kendellen, Gavin Coombes.

Replacements: Diarmuid Barron, Kieran Ryan, John Ryan, Brian Gleeson, John Hodnett, Paddy Patterson, Tony Butler, Ben O'Connor.

Leinster: Jamie Osborne; Tommy O'Brien, Garry Ringrose, Robbie Henshaw, Jimmy O'Brien; Sam Prendergast, Luke McGrath; Jack Boyle, Ronan Kelleher, Rabah Slimani; Joe McCarthy, James Ryan; Ryan Baird, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris (capt).

Replacements: Lee Barron, Andrew Porter, Cian Healy, Brian Deeny, Scott Penny, Fintan Gunne, Ross Byrne, Jordan Larmour.

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Ireland scrum-half Craig Casey looks set to miss the Six Nations after Munster confirmed he will miss "approximately four months" following knee surgery.

Casey was forced off with the injury in Munster's Investec Champions Cup defeat by Castres earlier this month.

The 25-year-old has won 18 Ireland caps since making his debut in 2021 and featured in three of their four autumn Tests last month.

Ireland begin their Six Nations title defence on 1 February against England. The holders, who will be led by interim head coach Simon Easterby in Andy Farrell's Lions-enforced absence, also face Scotland and Wales away and host France before a final-weekend trip to Italy on 15 March.

In further bad news for Munster, Thaakir Abrahams and Jean Kleyn are also set to miss around four months after undergoing shoulder and thigh surgeries respectively.

Munster are also without Alex Nankivell and Dave Kilcoyne for their United Rugby Championship interpro against Leinster on Friday.

Nankivell injured his hamstring whilst Kilcoyne picked up a thigh injury in Munster's 22-19 victory against Ulster last weekend.

Both will go for scans to determine the extent of the injuries and are unavailable for the Thomond Park game against Leinster.

Dian Bleuler is completing his return to play protocols and Munster said that "his availability will be determined later in the week".

Diarmuid Barron, Peter O'Mahony and Conor Murray are all returning from injuries and are in contention to feature for interim head coach Ian Costello.

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Connacht will play at Mayo GAA's McHale Park for the first time in the professional era when they take on derby rivals Munster in March.

The historic occasion in Castlebar will see the teams compete in an interprovincial United Rugby Championship encounter on Saturday, 29 March.

"All the players were absolutely delighted when told the news - the opportunity to play in front of a massive home crowd, in the heart of the province, is something to really look forward to," said Connacht club captain Cian Prendergast.

"Our supporters are amongst the best there are, and we know the passion that the people of Mayo, and Connacht more widely, show every time they support their teams, whatever the code or colour of the jersey."

Connacht head coach Pete Wilkins is also looking forward to seeing his team play at McHale Park.

"We're all incredibly excited by today's news - we are proud to represent the whole province of Connacht, and we look forward to sharing this great occasion with our existing supporters and getting out to meet many more new supporters from all across the province."

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Munster's interim head coach Ian Costello hailed the performance of centre Tom Farrell after his side beat Ulster 22-19 in Kingspan Stadium.

The summer signing from Connacht scored a hat-trick, including the winning try in the game's final minute, to help the southern province past Ulster who had prop Tom O'Toole sent off in the 31st minute.

"I can't stress enough how good Tom has been for us this season, he's played so many minutes," said Costello, whose side jumped from 11th to fifth in the United Rugby Championship [URC] table with the win.

"We were joking that he's played his quota from last season and we're not even halfway through yet.

"He's been brilliant on and off the pitch, but tonight was definitely his best on-pitch performance."

The 31-year-old has played all but 13 minutes of Munster's season so far, although will be asked to go again against Leinster on 27 December after his centre partner Alex Nankivell was injured in the incident that brought O'Toole's dismissal.

"He would have been looking for a rest soon, but Alex is going to get the next rest," added Costello.

"His hamstring isn't great after that clearout, so Tom will go another week and we'll give him a few days off after Christmas then."

Munster hooker Niall Scannell described Farrell's form as "unbelievable" since his switch to Thomond Park.

"Every time he touched the ball he was just a go-forward machine, but he's a hugely popular addition to the squad," he said.

"He's been unbelievable and I think you can see [that] when he gets on the front foot, with his skill set and particularly his handling game, he's just feeding fellas around him."

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Fit-again John Cooney has returned for Ulster's United Rugby Championship game against Munster on Friday (19:35 GMT), while academy fly-half Jack Murphy could make his debut off the bench.

Ireland Under-20 international Murphy, the son of head coach Richie Murphy, joined the Ulster academy from Leinster earlier this year.

The 20-year-old started all five of Ireland's games in this year's Under-20 Six Nations.

Scrum-half Cooney, who missed Ulster's Investec Champions Cup losses to Toulouse and Bordeaux, is recalled to partner Aidan Morgan in the half-backs.

There are four changes in the forwards. Andrew Warwick replaces Eric O'Sullivan at loosehead prop, Alan O'Connor deputises for injured captain Iain Henderson in the second row while James McNabney and Marcus Rea are recalled to the back row.

Zac Ward is retained on the left wing after making his debut in last week's defeat by Bordeaux.

As well as Henderson, Ulster are without Cormac Izuchukwu, Nathan Doak, Ben Carson, Stewart Moore and Jacob Stockdale.

Munster make six changes to the side that lost to Castres in Europe last weekend with Shane Daly, Paddy Patterson, John Ryan, Tom Ahern, Jack O'Donoghue and Gavin Coombes all recalled.

Ireland forwards Peter O'Mahony and Tadhg Beirne are not involved for Munster who, like Ulster, have three wins and four defeats in this season's URC.

Ulster: Michael Lowry; Werner Kok, Jude Postlethwaite, Stuart McCloskey, Zac Ward; Aidan Morgan, John Cooney; Andrew Warwick, Rob Herring, Tom O'Toole; Alan O'Connor (capt), Kieran Treadwell; James McNabney, Marcus Rea, David McCann.

Replacements: John Andrew, Eric O'Sullivan, Scott Wilson, Harry Sheridan, Matty Rea, Dave Shanahan, Jack Murphy, Rory Telfer.

Munster: Mike Haley; Calvin Nash, Tom Farrell, Alex Nankivell, Shane Daly; Jack Crowley, Paddy Patterson; John Ryan, Niall Scannell, Stephen Archer; Tom Ahern, Fineen Wycherley; Jack O'Donoghue (capt), John Hodnett, Gavin Coombes.

Replacements: Eoghan Clarke, Dave Kilcoyne, Oli Jager, Evan O'Connell, Alex Kendellen, Ethan Coughlan, Rory Scannell, Brian Gleeson.

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Ulster have a long list of injury doubts for Friday night's United Rugby Championship encounter against Irish rivals Munster at Kingspan Stadium.

Iain Henderson, Cormac Izuchukwu, Nick Timoney, Werner Kok, Nathan Doak and Aidan Morgan all picked up injuries in the Investec Champions Cup defeat by Bordeaux on Saturday.

Ulster said on Monday that the six players will be "monitored through training this week to ascertain their fitness to play in Friday's fixture".

Ben Carson and Stewart Moore, who were injured in Ulster's opening Champions Cup game against Toulouse, are "ongoing doubts" for the inter-provincial showdown.

However, there was some good news for Ulster with scrum-half John Cooney available for selection after resuming full team training.

Munster's weekend defeat by Castres also came at a cost with Craig Casey needing surgery after he sustained a meniscus injury.

Thaakir Abrahams dislocated his shoulder and will have scans to determine whether he requires surgery.

Dian Bleuler was removed after failing his head injury assessment and is following the return-to-play protocols while Diarmuid Barron passed his HIA and will be monitored following a shoulder injury.

Peter O'Mahony is a doubt with a calf contusion and Jean Kleyn is seeing a specialist for a thigh injury.

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Brian Gleeson has been handed his first Investec Champions Cup start for Munster as the Irish province make six changes to their starting team for Friday's Pool 3 game against Castres at Stade Pierre-Fabre.

The back row will be making his 11th appearance for Munster and his first start of the season.

The other changes from the side which began Saturday's 33-7 win over Stade Francais in round one see Niall Scannell, Stephen Archer, captain Tadhg Beirne, John Hodnett and Mike Haley all come in.

Beirne is named in the the team after coming on as a replacement at Thomond Park last week.

Prop Dave Kilcoyne returns after long-term injury to take his place on the bench, alongside Oli Jager, whose last match was against the Ospreys in the United Rugby Championship in early October.

Castres lost 38-8 away to Northampton Saints in their first match of their campaign last weekend.

Munster: Mike Haley; Calvin Nash, Tom Farrell, Alex Nankivell, Thaakir Abrahams; Jack Crowley, Craig Casey; Dian Bleuler, Niall Scannell, Stephen Archer; Fineen Wycherley, Tadhg Beirne (C); Peter O'Mahony, John Hodnett, Brian Gleeson.

Replacements: Diarmuid Barron, Dave Kilcoyne, Oli Jager, Tom Ahern, Alex Kendellen, Paddy Patterson, Rory Scannell, Jack O'Donoghue.

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Investec European Champions Cup: Munster v Stade Francais

Venue: Thomond Park, Limerick Date: Saturday, 7 December Kick-off: 17:30 GMT

Coverage: Team news, score updates and match report on the BBC Sport website

Evan O'Connell is set to make his first Investec Champions Cup appearance in Saturday's Pool 3 opener against Stade Francais at Thomond Park.

The 20-year-old, who is the nephew of former Munster, Ireland and Lions captain Paul O'Connell, will start at lock in Limerick.

The Irish hosts have made five changes to the side that defeated Lions in the United Rugby Championship last weekend.

Shane Daly comes in at full-back for what will be his 100th appearance for Munster.

Four Ireland players return from international duty with Calvin Nash, Jack Crowley, Craig Casey and Peter O'Mahony starting while Tadhg Beirne is among the replacements.

Diarmuid Barron will captain the side in the Champions Cup for the first time.

Short-term signing Dian Bleuler, Tom Farrell and Thaakir Abrahams will play their first game for Munster in the competition.

Bill Burns is on the bench and will also make his Champions Cup bow for Munster if he is introduced to the action.

Munster: Daly; Nash, Farrell, Nankivell, Abrahams; Crowley, Casey; Bleuler, Barron (capt), J Ryan; O'Connell, Wycherley; O'Mahony, Kendellen, Coombes.

Replacements: Scannell, K Ryan, Archer, Beirne, Hodnett, Patterson, Burns, O'Donoghue.

Stade Francais: Jonas; Laloi, Marchant, Boudehent, Ezeala; Henry, Motassi; Castets, Peyresblanques, Kodela; Azagoh, Pesenti; Huguet, Chapuis (capt), Tanga.

Replacements: Petriashvili, M Alo-Emile, P Alo-Emile, Turagacoke, Timo, Scelzo, Foursans-Bourdette, Carbonel.

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Loose-head prop Dian Bleuler will make his Munster debut against the Lions at Thomond Park on Saturday night.

The 25-year-old South African, who has United Rugby Championship [URC] experience with the Sharks, was signed to a short-term deal last week to ease the province's injury concerns in the front-row.

The game is the first competitive fixture for Munster since former head coach Graham Rowntree left the side after three straight defeats, with interim boss Ian Costello taking charge of a URC game for the first time.

He has given a league debut to Evan O'Connell, nephew of former Munster captain Paul O'Connell, in the second-row.

The 20-year-old came off the bench in Munster's exhibition defeat to an All Blacks XV this month.

Centre Alex Nankivell and wing Thaakir Abraham both make their returns from injury with Munster looking to improve on their 12th place in the standings.

Munster: Haley; McCarthy, Farrell, Nankivell, Abrahams; Burns, Coughlan; Bleuler, Barron, J Ryan; O’Connell, Wycherley; O’Donoghue, Kendellen, Coombes.

Replacements: Scannell, K Ryan, Archer, Quinn, Hodnett, Patterson, Butler, Daly.

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Ireland forwards coach Paul O'Connell has ruled himself out of taking over the vacant head coach position at Munster Rugby.

The former Munster captain won a pair of Heineken Cups and three league titles as a player at Thomond Park.

Former England prop Graham Rowntree left his position as Munster head coach in October after three consecutive United Rugby Championship [URC] defeats.

The 45-year-old O'Connell had been one of the names linked as his successor but said he will not be taking the position "in the short term" as he continues to prepare Ireland for their final Test match of the year against Australia on Saturday.

“No, I have no interest in it,” he said.

“Certainly in the short term, anyway. I just hope they get the right man.”

Two of Rowntree's assistants, Denis Leamy and Mike Prendergast, signed contact extensions until 2027 this week, but there has been no announcement on who will head up the ticket moving forward, while forwards coach Andi Kyriacou also left the province last week.

Head of rugby operations Ian Costello is currently acting as head coach on an interim basis, while Alex Codling has been brought in as forwards coach consultant until the end of season but will also remain in his current role as forwards coach for the Ireland women's team.

Munster host the Lions in URC action on Saturday evening.