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Munster name team for opening Champions Cup game against Harlequins

Munster head coach Johann van Graan has named his side to face Harlequins in their opening Heinek...



Munster head coach Johann van Graan has named his side to face Harlequins in their opening Heineken Champions Cup game for this season. 

His side welcome the London outfit to Thomond Park at 5.30 pm on Sunday.

Gavin Coombes and Damian de Allende are set to start on their European debuts with Academy prop Josh Wycherley in line to make his Champions Cup debut if he comes off the bench.

Limerick native Keith Earls will make his first appearance of the season for the province with Mike Haley at full-back and Andrew Conway completing the back three.

De Allende and Chris Farrell form the centre partnership with Conor Murray and JJ Hanrahan in the half-backs.

James Cronin, Kevin O’Byrne and Stephen Archer pack down in the front row with Jean Kleyn and Tadhg Beirne in the engine room.

Coombes, captain Peter O’Mahony and CJ Stander start in the back row.

There are two Greencore Munster Rugby Academy players among the replacements as Josh Wycherley is joined by Ben Healy, who made his European debut last January.

The starting 15 in full is:

Mike Haley

Andrew Conway

Chris Farrell

Damian de Allende

Keith Earls

JJ Hanrahan

Conor Murray

James Cronin

Kevin O’Byrne

Stephen Archer

Jean Kleyn

Tadhg Beirne

Gavin Coombes

Peter O’Mahony (C)

CJ Stander.

Munster failed to make it out of their group last season - finishing behind Racing 92 and Saracens.

Speaking ahead of the game, Johann van Graan has said,

"This is going to be a real 23-man effort at Thomond Park on Sunday.

“The players are driving each other so much and they were all tight calls between who starts and who the impact players are.

“Harlequins are a quality outfit across the board and we’re really looking forward to the challenge on Sunday.”

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Heineken Champions Cup Johann Van Graan Munster Rugby Thomond Park