Former Ireland captain Peter O’Mahony will be an Investec Champions Cup absentee when Munster host a two-change Saracens side at Thomond Park on Saturday.
Conor Murray has recovered sufficiently from his recent elbow injury to join Jack Crowley and Jack O’Donoghue in the Munster selection, which made three changes following the United Rugby Championship loss to Leinster on December 27.
Crowley was rested for the Irish derby while O’Donoghue nursed a shoulder injury. But O’Mahony, whose last appearance came in the defeat at Castres on December 13, will not be able to return. The 35-year-old is “unavailable for selection as he continues to recover from a calf contusion”.
Meanwhile, Saracens added Liam Williams and Phil Brantingham following last weekend’s home win over Bristol in the Gallagher Premiership. Director of Rugby Mark McCall said: “We are going to one of the great stadiums in Europe. It will be a great experience for this new group.
“If you think Munster at home are vulnerable, you’re probably pretty foolish. People have short memories. They won the URC two years ago and were in first place in the URC after the regular season last season.
fixture
Investec Champions Cup
münster
Saracen
“I’ve been to Thomond Park a few times since I was at Saracens and although we’ve never won there, it’s a great place to go. Some of our players who have been there spoke to some who haven’t yet about what to expect and what they will enjoy.
“This is a good test for us. “It will be a beneficial experience no matter what, but we have an opportunity, so we’ll see if we can take it.”
Munster: 15. Mike Haley; 14. Calvin Nash, 13. Tom Farrell, 12. Rory Scannell, 11. Shane Daly; 10. Jack Crowley, 9. Connor Murray; 1. Dian Bleuler, 2. Niall Scannell, 3. Oli Jager, 4. Fineen Wycherley, 5. Tadhg Beirne (captain), 6. Jack O’Donoghue, 7. Alex Kendellen, 8. Gavin Coombes. Contact: 16. Diarmuid Barron, 17. John Ryan, 18. Stephen Archer, 19. Tom Ahern, 20. John Hodnett, 21. Paddy Patterson, 22. Billy Burns, 23. Brian Gleeson.
Saracens: 15. Elliott Daly; 14. Liam Williams, 13. Alex Lozowski, 12. Nick Tompkins, 11. Pike Cinti; 10. Fergus Burke, 9. Ivan van Zyl; 1. Phil Brantingham, 2. Jamie George, 3. Marco Riccioni, 4. Maro Itoje (captain), 5. Harry Wilson, 6. Juan Martin Gonzalez, 7. Ben Earl, 8. Tom Willis. Reps: 16. Theo Dan, 17. Eroni Mawi, 18. Alec Clary, 19. Max Ecke, 20. Nathan Michelou, 21. Gareth Simpson, 22. Ollie Hartley, 23. Tobias Elliott.
