Rowntree gives youth its chance against South Africa XV

Munster have named a youthful looking squad for Thursday's historic match against a South Africa XV at Páirc Úi Chaoimh.

Graham Rowntree has made seven changes to the side that lost to Ulster at Thomond Park last time out, with Simon Zebo coming in on the left wing for only his second start of the season.

South Africa named their XV earlier in the week, with a couple of familiar faces set to line up against the province.

Jack O'Donoghue captains the Munster side, which sees Ben Healy joined by scrum-half Paddy Patterson in the half-backs.

There are three academy players in the squad, with lock Edwin Edogbo keeping his place in the engine room, while Cian Hurley and Patrick Campbell are among the replacements.

Antoine Frisch makes his first start for Munster since joining in the summer from Bristol after recovering from a calf injury suffered on the Emerging Ireland tour to South Africa.

Kiran McDonald partners Edogbo in the second row on his first Munster appearance after joining on a short-term deal last month.

Josh Wycherley, Roman Salanoa and Gavin Coombes also come into the starting XV.

Mike Haley starts at full-back with Shane Daly and Zebo on either flank.

Rory Scannell and Frisch form the centre partnership for the first time with Wycherley, Diarmuid Barron and Salanoa pack down in the front row with Edogbo and McDonald in the engine room.

O’Donoghue, John Hodnett and Coombes complete the side.

Hooker Niall Scannell has completed the return-to-play protocols and is named among the replacements along with props Liam O’Connor and Keynan Knox.

Academy lock/back-row forward Hurley and Alex Kendellen, who grew up close to the Páirc, complete the forward cover.

Neil Cronin, Campbell and Malakai Fekitoa are the backline replacements