Brian Gleeson is handed his first Investec Champions Cup start as Munster make six changes to their starting XV for Friday's Pool 3 game against Castres at Stade Pierre-Fabre.

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Munster have made six alterations to their starting XV for the Champions Cup trip to France for a face-off with Castres. Even without a permanent head coach at the helm, Ian Costello helped lead his side to an opening European win with last Saturday’s 33-7 triumph over Stade Francais.

Munster have made six changes to the starting XV to play Castres Olympique in the Champions Cup at Stade Pierre-Fabre on Friday (KO 8pm Irish time). Niall Scannell, Stephen Archer, captain Tadhg Beirne, John Hodnett, Brian Gleeson and Mike Haley all come into the side from the team which lined out against Stade Français.

Munster have recalled captain Tadhg Beirne to the starting team in one of six changes for tomorrow night’s Champions Cup clash in Castres (8.0 Irish time), while props Oli Jager and Dave Kilcoyne are set to make their welcome returns from respective injuries.

Tadhg Beirne returns as captain while Dave Kilcoyne joins the matchday squad for the first time since December 2023.

MUNSTER RUGBY have announced their team to face Castres Olympique in round two of the Champions Cup tomorrow night in France at 8pm. Interim head coach Ian Costello has freshened up his starting XV by bringing Niall Scannell, Stephen Archer, captain Tadhg Beirne, John Hodnett, Brian Gleeson and Mike Haley into the team.

The Munster A team has been named for Friday’s Interprovincial Championship clash against Ulster A at New Ormond Park (3pm, free entry).