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