Munster dealt major injury blow as team named to play Bath
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Sidelined.
Munster have named their team for Saturday’s Investec Champions Cup opener against Bath at The Rec with a noticeable omission.
Jack Crowley has been left out of the squad entirely after being ruled out with an ankle problem that is set to keep him out for 1-2 weeks.
Elsewhere, there are five changes to the side that faced DHL Stormers last week.
Summer arrivals Dan Kelly and JJ Hanrahan come into the backline, with Kelly set for his first Champions Cup appearance for Munster.
Michael Milne, Jean Kleyn and John Hodnett start in the pack with Kleyn back from international duty with the Springboks.
Michael Ala’alatoa is set for his Munster debut as a replacement after joining until the end of the season from Clermont Auvergne.
Shane Daly, Diarmuid Kilgallen and Thaakir Abrahams start in an unchanged back three with Kelly and Tom Farrell in midfield. Craig Casey and Hanrahan start in the half-backs.
Milne, Diarmuid Barron and John Ryan pack down in the front row as Kleyn and Tom Ahern start in the engine room. Milne makes his first Champions Cup appearance for Munster.
Captain Tadhg Beirne, Hodnett and Gavin Coombes are in the back row.
Lee Barron, Jeremy Loughman and Ala’alatoa provide the front row back-up with Edwin Edogbo, Ruadhán Quinn and Kendellen completing the forward cover. Lee Barron, Edogbo and Quinn are in line for their Champions Cup debuts.
Ethan Coughlan and Alex Nankivell are the backline replacements.
Munster Rugby: Shane Daly; Diarmuid Kilgallen, Tom Farrell, Dan Kelly, Thaakir Abrahams; JJ Hanrahan, Craig Casey; Michael Milne, Diarmuid Barron, John Ryan; Jean Kleyn, Tom Ahern; Tadhg Beirne (C), John Hodnett, Gavin Coombes.
Replacements: Lee Barron, Jeremy Loughman, Michael Ala’alatoa, Edwin Edogbo, Ruadhán Quinn, Ethan Coughlan, Alex Nankivell, Alex Kendellen.
