Munster Rugby have named their team to take on Connacht on Monday at the Sportgrounds.
Head Coach Graham Rowntree has called for seven personnel changes and one positional switch from the side that lost to Leinster on Stephen's Day as the province continues to battle through their injury blight.
Tom Ahern - who has made a new home for himself in the number 6 jersey - packs down alongside John Hodnett and Coombes, with Hodnett making his 50th Munster appearance. Fellow Waterford man Jack O Donoghue is named on the bench.Tadhg Beirne returns to captain the side with Fineen Wycherley back from a shoulder injury as Academy out-half Tony Butler, Conor Murray, Rory Scannell and Jeremy Loughman also slot into the starting 15.There is a positional switch for Coombes as he moves into the back row. Loughman, Clarke and Oli Jager pack down in the front row with Wycherley and Beirne in the engine room.
Simon Zebo, Calvin Nash and Shane Daly start in an unchanged back three. Scannell and Antoine Frisch partner up in midfield with Murray and Butler in the half-backs.Scott Buckley, Josh Wycherley and John Ryan provide the front-row back-up with O’Donoghue and Alex Kendellen completing the forward cover.Paddy Patterson, Seán O’Brien and Academy winger Shay McCarthy are the backline replacements.Craig Casey and Jack Crowley are unavailable for selection, as per the IRFU player management guidelines.Munster: Simon Zebo; Calvin Nash, Antoine Frisch, Rory Scannell, Shane Daly; Tony Butler, Conor Murray; Jeremy Loughman, Eoghan Clarke, Oli Jager; Fineen Wycherley, Tadhg Beirne (C); Tom Ahern, John Hodnett, Gavin Coombes.Replacements: Scott Buckley, Josh Wycherley, John Ryan, Jack O'Donoghue, Alex Kendellen, Paddy Patterson, Seán O'Brien, Shay McCarthy.
