Champions Cup Pool 3: Northampton v Munster, Franklin’s Gardens, Saturday, 3.15 – Live on Premier Sports
Peter O’Mahony has recovered from a calf injury to take his place in the Munster pack for Saturday afternoon’s key Champions Cup clash away to Northampton Saints at Franklin’s Gardens.
O’Mahony is one of three changes from the side that beat Saracens at home last weekend for the clash of the top two sides in Pool 3, with the winners of the game earning a home tie in the Round iof 16.
Diarmuid Barron returns at hooker, while Diarmuid Kilgallen makes his competitive debut on the left wing.
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Kilgallen joined Munster last summer but leg and wrist injuries have limited him to one appearance so far this season, against the All Blacks XV at Thomond Park.
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On the injury front, Shane Daly was unavailable for selection as he continues the graduated return-to-play protocols with John Hodnett unavailable due to a knock.
NORTHAMPTON: James Ramm; Tommy Freeman, Fraser Dingwall (capt), Rory Hutchinson, Tom Seabrook; Fin Smith, Alex Mitchell; Tarek Haffar, Curtis Langdon, Trevor Davison; Alex Coles, Tom Lockett; Josh Kemeny, Tom Pearson, Juarno Augustus.
Replacements: Henry Walker, Tom West, Luke Green, Callum Hunter-Hill, Angus Scott-Young, Henry Pollock, Tom James, Tom Litchfield
MUNSTER: Mike Haley; Calvin Nash, Tom Farrell, Rory Scannell, Diarmuid Kilgallen; Jack Crowley, Conor Murray; Dian Bleuler, Diarmuid Barron, Oli Jager; Fineen Wycherley, Tadhg Beirne (capt); Peter O’Mahony, Alex Kendellen, Gavin Coombes.
Replacements: Niall Scannell, John Ryan, Stephen Archer, Tom Ahern, Jack O’Donoghue, Paddy Patterson, Tony Butler, Brian Gleeson.
Leinster v Bath, Aviva Stadium, Saturday, 5.30 – Live on RTÉ 2 & Premier Sports
Garry Ringrose will start on the right wing for Leinster in Saturday’s clash against Bath at the Aviva Stadium.
The Ireland international switches out wide to accommodate a centre partnership of Jordie Barrett and Robbie Henshaw and is one of five changes made by Leo Cullen from the hard-fought win over La Rochelle last Sunday.
Hugo Keenan makes his first start since October, with the back three completed by Jamie Osborne. Sam Prendergast continues at outhalf alongside Jamison Gibson-Park.
Props Andrew Porter and Rabah Slimani have been drafted into the starting line-up after coming off the bench in La Rochelle, with Rónan Kelleher keeping his place at hooker.
Joe McCarthy once again partners James Ryan in the secondrow, while Josh van der Flier continues at seven. Jack Conan comes in to captain the team while Max Deegan returns at flanker.
Academy hooker Gus McCarthy is joined on the bench by Cian Healy and Thomas Clarkson as the frontrow options, while RG Snyman and Caelan Doris also take their place among the replacements. Jimmy O’Brien offers the outside back cover while Ross Byrne and Luke McGrath will provide the reinforcements at halfback.
LEINSTER (v Bath): Hugo Keenan; Garry Ringrose, Robbie Henshaw, Jordie Barrett, Jamie Osborne; Sam Prendergast, Jamison Gibson-Park; Andrew Porter, Rónan Kelleher, Rabah Slimani; Joe McCarthy, James Ryan; Max Deegan, Josh van der Flier, Jack Conan (capt).
Replacements: Gus McCarthy, Cian Healy, Thomas Clarkson, RG Snyman, Caelan Doris, Luke McGrath, Ross Byrne, Jimmy O’Brien.
BATH: Tom de Glanville; Joe Cokanasiga, Ollie Lawrence, Max Ojomoh, Ruaridh McConnochie; Finn Russell, Ben Spencer (capt); Beno Obano, Niall Annett, Will Stuart; Quinn Roux, Ross Molony; Ted Hill, Miles Reid, Alfie Barbeary.
Replacements: Tom Dunn, Francois van Wyk, Thomas du Toit, Charlie Ewels, Josh Bayliss, Louis Schreuder, Orlando Bailey, Jaco Coetzee.
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