Sheehan switches to number eight for Munster derby

Leinster captain Dan Sheehan will start at number eight for the first time in Saturday’s United Rugby Championship interprovincial derby against Munster at the Aviva Stadium (18:00 BST).

The Ireland hooker switches to the back row as one of four changes made by head coach Leo Cullen following last weekend’s 48-23 Champions Cup victory over Clermont Auvergne.

Ireland scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park makes his first appearance of the season, while former Munster out-half Joey Carbery earns his first start since rejoining Leinster.

Ronan Kelleher and Jamie Osborne are also drafted into the starting side, with Kelleher replacing Sheehan at hooker and Osborne joining Robbie Henshaw in midfield.

The hosts are seeking consecutive URC victories after bouncing back from opening defeats by the Lions and Sharks with a convincing win over Cardiff.

Leinster have collected eight points from their opening three league matches, including four bonus points.

Munster, meanwhile, have made seven changes to the side that defeated Racing 92 in the Champions Cup last weekend.

Shane Daly returns from injury, while Josh Wycherley, Kieran Brookes, Fineen Wycherley, Jack O’Donoghue, Alex Kendellen and Gavin Coombes are also drafted into the starting XV.

Former Ireland Under-20 international Sean O’Brien switches from the wing to outside centre as he prepares to make his 50th Munster appearance.

Mark Donnelly is in line for his first appearance of the season from the replacements’ bench, with academy centre Gordon Wood also among the replacements.

Munster have recovered from their opening URC defeat by Glasgow Warriors with a victory over the Bulls and a 26-26 draw against Ulster on October 10.

Munster: B O’Connor; McCarthy, S O’Brien, Nankivell, Daly; O’Shea, Casey; J Wycherley, Van der Merwe, Brookes; F Wycherley, Beirne (capt); O’Donoghue, Kendellen, Coombes.

Replacements: Clein, Donnelly, Ala’alatoa, Edogbo, Gleeson, B O’Donovan, Hanrahan, Wood.

Leinster: Keenan; T O’Brien, Osborne, Henshaw, J O’Brien; Carbery, Gibson-Park; Porter, Kelleher, Furlong; J McCarthy, Ryan; Baird, Van der Flier, Sheehan (capt).

Replacements: G McCarthy, Usanov, Clarkson, O’Tighearnaigh, Penny, Gunne, Gabriel, Tector.