Beirne returns from injury to captain Munster against Ulster in URC derby

Tadhg Beirne will captain Munster in Saturday’s URC interprovincial derby against Ulster at Affidea Stadium, making his first appearance of the season after missing the end of last campaign through injury.

The Ireland lock has not featured for Munster since April’s home win over Ulster, with head coach Clayton McMillan describing his return as a well-earned one following the Summer Tests. Beirne is one of nine changes to the starting XV that defeated the Bulls last week, with Ben O’Connor, Alex Nankivell, JJ Hanrahan, Jeremy Loughman, Kieran Brookes, Jack O’Donoghue, Alex Kendellen, and Gavin Coombes all coming in.

Evan O’Connell keeps his place in the engine room alongside Beirne, while O’Donoghue, Kendellen, and Coombes form a new-look back row. JJ Hanrahan partners Craig Casey at half-back, with O’Connor joining Shane Daly and Seán O’Brien in the back three.

“It’s great to welcome Tadhg back into the team for the first time since April after his well-deserved break following the Summer Tests,” McMillan said. “The players we have picked for Saturday night in Belfast have earned their places because of their contributions over our first two games and the work they put in over pre-season.”

McMillan also highlighted the competition for places that has built through pre-season. “Proper competition for places in the matchday 23 leads to a higher standard of training. Now it’s about translating that into a performance up in Belfast.”

Hanrahan earned particular praise from the head coach after impressing in both of Munster’s opening fixtures. “JJ Hanrahan was excellent against Glasgow in Round 1 and I was really impressed with how he managed the end game against Bulls last week,” McMillan added.

Off the bench, Charlie O’Shea — who joined Munster less than two months ago — is named among the replacements again after catching the eye in recent weeks.

Munster XV: Ben O’Connor; Shane Daly, Alex Nankivell, Dan Kelly, Seán O’Brien; JJ Hanrahan, Craig Casey; Jeremy Loughman, Marnus van der Merwe, Kieran Brookes; Evan O’Connell, Tadhg Beirne (C); Jack O’Donoghue, Alex Kendellen, Gavin Coombes.

Replacements: Diarmuid Barron, Josh Wycherley, Jack Aungier, Tom Ahern, Brian Gleeson, Ben O’Donovan, Charlie O’Shea, John Hodnett.