Munster Make Four Changes As Teenager Wood Set For Debut

Shane Daly switches to outside centre for Munster’s BKT United Rugby Championship match against leaders Glasgow Warriors at Scotstoun Stadium on Friday night (kick-off 7.45pm).

Daly is one five players included who are part of the Ireland XV squad to play England ‘A’ next week. One of the others is Dan Kelly, whom Daly teams up in the centre with as Alex Nankivell is nursing a foot injury.

Munster head coach Clayton McMillan has made four personnel changes to the team that edged out the Dragons last weekend. Diarmuid Kilgallen and forwards Josh Wycherley, Oli Jager, and Evan O’Connell all come in to start.

Academy out-half Tom Wood, a member of Ireland’s Under-20 Six Nations squad for the second year running, is in line for his senior debut after being named among the replacements.

The 19-year-old Garryowen clubman is the youngest son of former Ireland captain Keith Wood, and came up through the ranks at Ballina-Killaloe RFC and St. Munchin’s College.

The talented teenager is one of two Academy players in Munster’s matchday squad, with the 21-year-old Seán Edogbo keeping his place in an unchanged back row, alongside Ruadhán Quinn (22) and Brian Gleeson (21).

Joining captain Diarmuid Barron in the front row are Josh Wycherley and Jager, who makes his first start since October after returning from a head injury earlier this month.

The 21-year-old O’Connell is set for his 10th senior appearance for Munster, combining with Fineen Wycherley in the engine room. Jean Kleyn is following the return-to-play protocols on the back of his HIA against the Dragons.

JJ Hanrahan’s late injury-enforced withdrawal last Friday saw Ethan Coughlan and Tony Butler start together at half-back for the first time at this level. The Ennis pair continue in the 9-10 axis for the trip to Scotland.

Daly’s move to midfield comes with Kildare man Kilgallen slotting in on the left wing for his fourth start of the season. Mike Haley and Thaakir Abrahams complete the back-three as the Reds return to Scotstoun looking to avenge last March’s 28-25 defeat.

Lee Barron, Mark Donnelly, who recently returned from a short-term loan spell at Ealing Trailfinders, John Ryan, Gavin Coombes, and Jack O’Donoghue will provide the forward cover for the URC’s fifth-placed side.

Paddy Patterson, Wood, and Seán O’Brien are the back-line options, with New Zealander McMillan confident that Wood is ready to make the step up if called upon during this round 11 fixture.

“This opportunity for Tom has come along probably a little earlier than we all anticipated,” he said. “But there’s no denying his talent. It might upset a few Irish people, but I see a lot of Stephen Larkham in the guy.

“He’s long-limbed, tall, feels like he has a lot of time, which is a really great quality. So if he gets this opportunity to go out there, I know it’ll be a proud, proud moment for himself and his family.

“His slightly older brother (Gordon), I think was on the bench last year and didn’t get on the field, so he’ll be hoping that he gets on. But look, he’s a prodigious talent, great left foot boot, sound goal kicker. Like I said, he just seems to be one of those people that has time.”

McMillan added: “I’m hugely impressed with how Glasgow have played, and the representation that they have in the Scottish side is obviously a testament to the work that they’re doing for the club. They’ve got depth in their squad.

“You know, the squad that we’ve put out, we’ll have to take a big step forward from what we produced at home (against the Dragons) last week.”

MUNSTER (v Glasgow Warriors): Mike Haley; Thaakir Abrahams, Shane Daly, Dan Kelly, Diarmuid Kilgallen; Tony Butler, Ethan Coughlan; Josh Wycherley, Diarmuid Barron (capt), Oli Jager, Evan O’Connell, Fineen Wycherley, Seán Edogbo, Ruadhán Quinn, Brian Gleeson.

Replacements: Lee Barron, Mark Donnelly, John Ryan, Gavin Coombes, Jack O’Donoghue, Paddy Patterson, Tom Wood, Seán O’Brien.