Munster Set to Feature Bleuler and O’Connell in Debuts

Loose-head prop Dian Bleuler is scheduled to make his inaugural appearance for Munster this Saturday evening against the Lions at Thomond Park. The 25-year-old South African, who previously played for the South Africa Under-20s and possesses United Rugby Championship [URC] experience with the Sharks, was brought in on a short-term contract last week to alleviate the province’s front-row injury concerns. This upcoming match marks Munster’s initial competitive fixture since the departure of former head coach Graham Rowntree, following three consecutive defeats. Interim boss Ian Costello will oversee his first URC game, and he has named Evan O’Connell, nephew of former Munster captain Paul O’Connell, for a league debut in the second-row. The 20-year-old O’Connell previously featured as a substitute in Munster’s exhibition loss to an All Blacks XV earlier this month. Centre Alex Nankivell and wing Thaakir Abraham are set to return from injury, as Munster aims to improve its current 12th position in the league standings. The Munster squad for the match is as follows: Haley; McCarthy, Farrell, Nankivell, Abrahams; Burns, Coughlan; Bleuler, Barron, J Ryan; O’Connell, Wycherley; O’Donoghue, Kendellen, Coombes. Replacements: Scannell, K Ryan, Archer, Quinn, Hodnett, Patterson, Butler, Daly.