Murray and Farrell return as Munster makes 11 changes



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Conor Murray and Chris Farrell will make their first starts of the season as Munster head coach Johann van Graan makes 11 changes to his team during Edinburgh's visit to Guinness Pro14 on Friday.

Peter O'Mahony will be captain of the Irish Independent Park (start of the game at 19:35) with Andrew Conway, Keith Earls, Dave Kilcoyne, Niall Scannell, John Ryan and Tadhg Beirne.

The inclusion of Murray and Farrell is an important start. Both players replaced Zeè last week. The former Ulster admitted that he was anxious to return after eight and a half months late.

"These rehab programs are never simple, you sometimes think you're ready to start again and something happens," he told RTÉ Sport this week.

"I'm delighted to have arrived in less than nine months."

Farrell will partner with Rory Scannell in the middle of the field.

There were 11 changes in the team that ensured a bonus points victory in Italy on Sunday as Munster hoped to win five straight wins.

Mike Haley retains his side-back spot with wingers Conway and Earls completing the last three.

JJ Hanrahan nods as everything changes in the first five places with Kilcoyne, Scannell and Ryan coming in first.

Billy Holland and Beirne start in the engine room while Chris Cloete and Arno Botha keep their place next and Captain O'Mahony completes the last row.

Munster: Mike Haley; Andrew Conway, Chris Farrell, Rory Scannell, Keith Earls; JJ Hanrahan, Conor Murray; Dave Kilcoyne, Niall Scannell, John Ryan; Tadhg Beirne, Billy Holland; Peter O'Mahony (C), Chris Cloete, Arno Botha.

replacements: Kevin O'Byrne, Jeremy Loughman, Ciaran Parker, Fineen Wycherley, Gavin Coombes, Duncan Williams, Tyler Bleyendaal, Sammy Arnold.

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