Rugby

Munster vs Wasps: Landmarks for Kilcoyne and O’Donoghue

Three changes to side that beat Castres as Healy, Kleyn and Barron come into the XV

Dave Kilcoyne makes his 200th Munster appearance against Wasps. Photograph: Ryan Byrne/Inpho

Fri Jan 21 2022 - 12:46

Champions Cup: Munster vs Wasps, Sunday 23rd January, Thomond Park (3.15pm kick-off, live on BT Sports).

Dave Kilcoyne will earn his 200th Munster cap after being named to start in the province’s Champions Cup clash with Wasps. Jack O’Donoghue becomes the youngest player to reach 150 caps as both players keep their places from the side that beat Castres in Fracne.

Three changes have been made to the starting XV, the most notcieable being the return of Ben Healy at outhalf. Jack Crowley drops to the bench as a result.

Fineen Wycherley also moves to the replacements as Jean Kleyn takes his place, while Diarmuid Barron starts at hooker instead of Niall Scannell.

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Damien de Allende remains sidelined, meaning Rory Scannell and Chris Farrell resume their centre pairing.

Peter O’Mahony once again captains the side in an unchanged backrow alongside O’Donoghue and Gavin Coombes.

In the replacements, Scott Buckley comes in to provide hooker cover while there is a place for Simon Zebo in the 23 shirt at the expense of Shane Daly.

Vistors Wasps are missing talismanic backrow Alfie Barbeary after he failed to progress through the HIA return to play protocols, one of eight changes made to the side that shocked Toulouse.

Former Leinsterman Jimmy Gopperth has been ruled out by injury, while Jacob Umaga is suspended following his red card last weekend.

Brad Shields - who was sent off in the return fixture last month - captains the side in the backrow while the electric Paolo Odogwu keeps his place at 13.

Munster: Mike Haley; Andrew Conway, Chris Farrell, Rory Scannell, Keith Earls; Ben Healy, Conor Murray; Dave Kilcoyne, Diarmuid Barron, Stephen Archer; Jean Kleyn, Tadhg Beirne; Peter O'Mahony (capt), Jack O' Donoghue, Gavin Coombes.

Replacements: Scott Buckley, Jeremy Loughman, John Ryan, Fineen Wycherley, John Hodnett, Craig Casey, Jack Crowley, Simon Zebo.

Wasps: Ali Crossdale; Marcus Watson, Paolo Odogwu, Ryan Mills, Josh Bassett; Charlie Atkinson, Dan Robson; Tom West, Tom Cruse, Elliot Millar-Mils; Elliott Stooke, James Gaskell; Brad Shields (capt), Thomas Young, Nizaam Carr.

Replacements: Gabriel Oghre, Rodrigo Martinez, Pieter Scholtz, Tim Cardall, Ben Morris, Will Porter, Rob Miller, Sam Spink.