Munster Announces Six Lineup Changes, Gleeson to Make First Champions Cup Start

Brian Gleeson has been named in the Munster back row and is set to make his inaugural Investec Champions Cup start for the province. Munster has made six alterations to its starting lineup for Friday’s Pool 3 fixture against Castres at Stade Pierre-Fabre. This upcoming match will mark Gleeson’s eleventh appearance for Munster and his first start of the current season. The other adjustments to the squad that secured a 33-7 victory over Stade Francais in round one on Saturday include the return of Niall Scannell, Stephen Archer, captain Tadhg Beirne, John Hodnett, and Mike Haley. Beirne’s inclusion in the team follows his participation as a replacement at Thomond Park last week. Prop Dave Kilcoyne is returning from a long-term injury and will be positioned on the bench. He will be joined by Oli Jager, whose most recent game was against the Ospreys in the United Rugby Championship in early October. Castres suffered a 38-8 defeat away to Northampton Saints in their initial match of the campaign last weekend. Munster: Mike Haley; Calvin Nash, Tom Farrell, Alex Nankivell, Thaakir Abrahams; Jack Crowley, Craig Casey; Dian Bleuler, Niall Scannell, Stephen Archer; Fineen Wycherley, Tadhg Beirne (C); Peter O’Mahony, John Hodnett, Brian Gleeson. Replacements: Diarmuid Barron, Dave Kilcoyne, Oli Jager, Tom Ahern, Alex Kendellen, Paddy Patterson, Rory Scannell, Jack O’Donoghue.