CAPTAIN Tadhg Beirne – who was the sole Irish player chosen in World Rugby’s Dream Team of the Year – is among five returning Internationals chosen by Munster for Saturday’s top-of-the-table URC clash with Stormers at Thomond Park, kick-off 5.30pm.
Tom Ahern, Craig Casey, Jack Crowley and Tom Farrell also return to the fold.
Shane Daly, Diarmuid Kilgallen and Thaakir Abrahams are named in the back three with a centre partnership of Alex Nankivell and Farrell.
Casey and Crowley are paired in the half-backs.
Jeremy Loughman, Diarmuid Barron and John Ryan pack down in the front row with Ahern and Fineen Wycherley in the engine room.
Beirne, Jack O’Donoghue and Gavin Coombes start in the back row.
Munster: Shane Daly; Diarmuid Kilgallen, Tom Farrell, Alex Nankivell, Thaakir Abrahams; Jack Crowley, Craig Casey; Jeremy Loughman, Diarmuid Barron, John Ryan; Tom Ahern, Fineen Wycherley; Tadhg Beirne, captain, Jack O’Donoghue, Gavin Coombes.
Replacements: Niall Scannell, Michael Milne, Ronan Foxe, Edwin Edogbo, John Hodnett, Ethan Coughlan, Tony Butler, Dan Kelly.