It’s all change in derby
Munster v Leinster St Stephen’s Day, 3.15pm
MUNSTER and Leinster have shaken up their line-ups for the St. Stephen’s Day derby clash at Thomond Park.
The Reds have made four changes while Leinster coach Leo Cullen has handed Jack Mcgrath the captain’s armband and made 12 switches from last week.
Keith Earls and Tommy O’donnell both return to the Munster team with neither having played since the win over Connacht at the end of October.
Rhys Marshall and Andrew Conway were both laid low by concussions suffered in the win over Leicester in Thomond Park but have completed their return to play protocols. Alex Wootton and Simon Zebo must be content with a place on the bench.
For the Blues, prop Jack Mcgrath captains the side for the first time with Isa Nacewa not involved.
Cullen has picked an almost entirely different side to the one which overcame Exeter last week with Robbie Henshaw, Devin Toner and Jack Conan the only players to retain starting berths for the Limerick clash.