URC team news: Joey Carbery starts for Munster as Ireland internationals return

Joey Carbery has been preferred to Jack Crowley at out-half for Munster's interprovincial derby against Connacht on Saturday.

Crowley, who made his first Ireland start in last weekend’s win over Australia, has been named among the replacements.

Tadhg Beirne makes his 50th Munster appearance while fellow Ireland internationals Peter O’Mahony and Craig Casey also return to the starting line-up, with Antoine Frisch handed his first BKT United Rugby Championship start.

Jean Kleyn partners Beirne in the second row after recovering from a rib injury.

Munster head coach Graham Rowntree has named six forwards on the bench including Jeremy Loughman, Gavin Coombes and Edwin Edogbo.

Connacht also welcome back the majority of their Ireland contingent with Bundee Aki making his first start of the season.

Dave Heffernan, Finlay Bealham and Cian Prendergast come into the pack, where Josh Murphy partners Gavin Thornbury in the second row.

Mack Hansen misses out with a thigh injury while Tiernan O’Halloran is also sidelined, so John Porch switches to full-back and Byron Ralston starts on the wing.

Caolin Blade and captain Jack Carty form the half-back combination while Aki partners Tom Farrell in midfield as Connacht chase a fourth win in five games against Munster.

Connacht have also opted for a six-two split on the bench, with Kieran Marmion and Conor Fitzgerald providing backline cover.

Munster: Mike Haley; Calvin Nash, Antoine Frisch, Rory Scannell, Shane Daly; Joey Carbery, Craig Casey; Josh Wycherley, Diarmuid Barron, Roman Salanoa; Jean Kleyn, Tadhg Beirne; Peter O'Mahony (capt), John Hodnett, Alex Kendellen

Replacements: Niall Scannell, Jeremy Loughman, John Ryan, Edwin Edogbo, Jack O’Donoghue, Paddy Patterson, Jack Crowley, Gavin Coombes

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