Munster open their European campaign this weekend with a tough trip to The Rec, where Bath await in the first round of the Investec Champions Cup.
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How to watch Munster v Bath
Munster face Bath on Saturday at 8pm, live on Premier Sports.
Their next Champions Cup outing comes the following weekend, when Gloucester visit SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh for a 5.30pm kick off. Limited tickets remain on sale.
Munster v Bath team news
Clayton McMillan has made five adjustments to the side that lined out against the Stormers, with the big news being the absence of Jack Crowley from the matchday 23.
Crowley has not recovered from the ankle injury he sustained in the opening seconds of that defeat to the Stormers, and will be replaced by JJ Hanrahan in the starting XV.
Hanrahan and Dan Kelly both come into the backline. Kelly is set for his first Champions Cup appearance for the province.
Three changes arrive in the pack as Michael Milne, Jean Kleyn and John Hodnett return to the starting group. Kleyn links back up with the squad after Springboks duty, while Milne prepares for his Champions Cup debut for Munster.
New arrival Michael Ala’alatoa is named among the replacements and could make his first Munster appearance after joining from Clermont. Alex Kendellen is also selected on the bench and may feature for the first time since the opening round win over Scarlets.
The back three of Shane Daly, Diarmuid Kilgallen and Thaakir Abrahams stays intact. Kelly joins Tom Farrell in midfield, while Craig Casey and Hanrahan partner at half back.
Milne, Diarmuid Barron and John Ryan make up the front row. Kleyn and Tom Ahern form the second row combination, with captain Tadhg Beirne, Hodnett and Gavin Coombes completing the back row.
On the bench, Lee Barron, Edwin Edogbo and Ruadhán Quinn are set for their Champions Cup debuts. Ethan Coughlan and Alex Nankivell provide backline cover.
Unavailable
Jack Crowley (ankle) one to two weeks
Calvin Nash (shoulder) one to two weeks
Munster lineup vs Bath
Munster Rugby:
15 Shane Daly
14 Diarmuid Kilgallen
13 Tom Farrell
12 Dan Kelly
11 Thaakir Abrahams
10 JJ Hanrahan
9 Craig Casey
Recommended
1Michael Milne
2 Diarmuid Barron
3 John Ryan
4 Jean Kleyn
5 Tom Ahern
6 Tadhg Beirne (C)
7 John Hodnett
8 Gavin Coombes.
Replacements:
Lee Barron, Jeremy Loughman, Michael Ala’alatoa, Edwin Edogbo, Ruadhán Quinn, Ethan Coughlan, Alex Nankivell, Alex Kendellen.
Bath Rugby:
15 Tom de Glanville
14 Joe Cokanasiga
13 Max Ojomoh
12 Cameron Redpath
11 Henry Arundell
10 Finn Russell
9 Ben Spencer (captain)
1 Beno Obano
2 Tom Dunn
3 Will Stuart
4 Quinn Roux
5 Charlie Ewels
6 Josh Bayliss
7 Guy Pepper
8 Miles Reid
Replacements:
Kepueli Tuipulotu, Francois van Wyk, Thomas du Toit, Ross Molony, Ted Hill, Tom Carr-Smith, Santi Carreras, Sam Underhill
