Ex-Leinster wing Rob Russell handed Munster debut against Sharks at Thomond Park

Rob Russell will make his Munster debut on the wing when Clayton McMillan’s side host the Sharks at Thomond Park on Saturday in the URC, the province confirmed in their team announcement.

The 27-year-old arrived in Limerick on a short-term basis after a spell with Gloucester, having previously scored 18 tries in 35 appearances for Leinster. Russell had been training with Munster for several weeks following a run of strong performances in the All-Ireland League.

McMillan said of the selection: “Rob Russell has been training with us for the past few weeks off the back of some really good performances in the AIL. He has a good pedigree in the professional game and has really impressed us since coming in.”

Russell’s inclusion is one of several changes to the starting XV. Academy centre Gordon Wood earns his first start for the province on his fourth senior appearance, slotting into what McMillan described as “an exciting young backline”. Ben O’Donovan, JJ Hanrahan, Evan O’Connell, Seán Edogbo and Brian Gleeson also come into the side.

Off the bench, Edwin Edogbo and Lee Barron are set for their first appearances of the season after returning from injury layoffs.

McMillan acknowledged the scale of the task facing his side, noting that the Sharks have made a strong start to the URC campaign. “The Sharks have made an excellent start to the season and enjoyed two big wins on the road over the past two weekends,” he said. “We are eager to finish off the first block of fixtures with a committed, quality performance at home.”

Munster XV: Ben O’Connor; Shay McCarthy, Gordon Wood, Alex Nankivell, Rob Russell; JJ Hanrahan, Ben O’Donovan; Josh Wycherley, Marnus van der Merwe, Kieran Brookes; Evan O’Connell, Fineen Wycherley; Seán Edogbo, Jack O’Donoghue (C), Brian Gleeson.

Replacements: Lee Barron, Jeremy Loughman, Michael Ala’alatoa, Edwin Edogbo, Gavin Coombes, Jake O’Riordan, Charlie O’Shea, Alex Kendellen.