Ben Healy will start for Munster against the Emirates Lions just days after his transfer to Edinburgh at the end of the season was confirmed.
The 23-year-old has been subjected to intense speculation over his future in recent months. Considered to be the heir to Joey Carbery's 10 shirt just a few months ago, the emergence of Jack Crowley has seen Healy slip back in the pecking order at the Irish province.
Despite representing Ireland at Under 20's level, Healy's International future seems to lie in Scotland as he qualifies for them through his Scottish grandparents.
READ MORE: Ben Healy looking forward to new adventure as departure to Edinburgh from Munster confirmed
The out-half's move to Edinburgh was confirmed on Thursday, with Healy looking forward to joining up with Mike Blair's side for the 2023/2024 season.
For now though, Healy will have to put Edinburgh to the back of his mind as Munster gear up for a busy period in the season. On Saturday night, they welcome South African side Emirates Lions to Musgrave Park on the back of a decent win over provincial rivals Ulster in Belfast.
There are six personnel changes and three positional alterations from the Munster side that picked up a one point win at Kingspan stadium last time out. Jack O'Donahue captains the side in his 15th appearance of the season and will wear the number six shirt.
Rory Scannell, Josh Wycherley, Diarmuid Barron, John Hodnett and the aforementioned Healy all come into the starting line-up for the visit of the Lions who sit in 11th place in the URC table.
Liam Coombes starts on the wing in what will be his first Munster appearance since picking up an injury in September. Dan Goggin is among the replacements and is in line to make his first Munster appearance in three months.
Munster : 15. Mike Haley, 14. Shane Daly, 13. Malakai Fekitoa, 12. Rory Scannell, 11. Liam Coombes, 10. Ben Healy, 9. Paddy Patterson, 1. Josh Wycherley, 2. Diarmuid Barron, 3. Roman Salanoa, 4. Jean Kleyn, 5. Gavin Coombes, 6. Jack O’Donoghue (C), 7. John Hodnett, 8. Alex Kendellen.
Replacements : 16. Scott Buckley, 17. Dave Kilcoyne, 18. Stephen Archer, 19. Cian Hurley, 20. Jack O’Sullivan, 21. Conor Murray, 22. Dan Goggin, 23. Patrick Campbell.
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