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.

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 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.

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

Brian Gleeson is set for his first Champions Cup start when Munster visit Castres on Friday night in their second-round pool fixture at Stade Pierre Fabre. It will be the former Ireland under-20 back-rower's seasonal debut and is one of six changes to the starting team which faced Stade Francais at Thomond Park last Saturday in Munster’s European opener.