Gleeson to start for Munster against Edinburgh

The Munster side has been named for Friday’s sold-out URC Round 12 clash against Edinburgh at Virgin Media Park (7.35pm, live on TG4).

A capacity 8,800 crowd will attend with eight changes to the team that recorded a bonus-point win against Scarlets last time out as Niall Scannell captains the side.

Two players have been released from Ireland camp as John Hodnett and Calvin Nash are named in the starting XV.

Hodnett, Nash, Alex Nankivell, Shay McCarthy, Niall Scannell, John Ryan, Evan O’Connell and Brian Gleeson all start.

Nankivell makes a welcome return from injury having been out of action since December.

Four Academy players are included with Ben O’Connor at full-back, McCarthy on the wing and O’Connell in the second row as flanker Ruadhán Quinn is included among the replacements.

O’Connor, Nash and McCarthy are named in the back three with Nankivell and Tom Farrell in midfield as Ethan Coughlan and Billy Burns start in the half-backs.

Josh Wycherley, captain Scannell and Ryan pack down in the front row with O’Connell and Fineen Wycherley in the engine room.

Tom Ahern, Hodnett and Gleeson start in the back row.

Diarmuid Barron, Mark Donnelly and Stephen Archer provide the front-row back-up. Donnelly is in line for his first appearance of the season after missing the last number of months due to an ankle injury sustained on Emerging Ireland duty.

Quinn and Alex Kendellen complete the forward cover.

Paddy Patterson, Tony Butler and Seán O’Brien are the backline replacements. O'Brien is set for his first appearance since October after recovering from a leg injury.

Munster: Ben O'Connor; Calvin Nash, Tom Farrell, Alex Nankivell, Shay McCarthy; Billy Burns, Ethan Coughlan; Josh Wycherley, Niall Scannell (C), John Ryan; Evan O'Connell, Fineen Wycherley; Tom Ahern, John Hodnett, Brian Gleeson.

Replacements: Diarmuid Barron, Mark Donnelly, Stephen Archer, Ruadhán Quinn, Alex Kendellen, Paddy Patterson, Tony Butler, Seán O'Brien.