The Munster men’s team has been named for Saturday’s pre-season clash against Bath at The Rec (3pm). Diarmuid Barron captains a 30-player squad that will travel to England for the clash against former Munster Head Coach Johann van Graan’s side. New signings Billy Burns and Tom Farrell both start on their first Munster appearances with a mixture of senior, Academy and club players included. Among the replacements, new signings Bryan Fitzgerald and Diarmuid Kilgallen are also set for their first Munster appearances along with Academy players Ronan Foxe and Jack Oliver, and club players Conor Ryan (UCC) and Luca Cleary (UL Bohemian). Ryan came up through the ranks at Clonakilty RFC with Cleary from Ennis RFC. Full-back Patrick Campbell returns to action after a long-term shoulder injury with Liam Coombes and Academy man Shay McCarthy on either wing. Seán O’Brien and Farrell form a new centre partnership as Ethan Coughlan and Burns pair up in the half-backs for the first time. Jeremy Loughman, Barron and John Ryan pack down in the front row with Gavin Coombes and Fineen Wycherley in the engine room. Academy back-row Ruadhán Quinn, John Hodnett and Jack O’Donoghue complete the side. Scott Buckley returned from his short-term loan with Australian side Randwick earlier this week and goes straight into the squad among the replacements. Max Clein, Niall Scannell, Stephen Archer, Foxe, Conor Ryan, Jack Daly and Alex Kendellen complete the forward cover. Jack Oliver, Luca Cleary, Tony Butler, Fitzgerald, Kilgallen and Mike Haley are the backline replacements. The game will be live on Bath Rugby’s TikTok account. Munster face Gloucester at Virgin Media Park next Friday at 7pm with tickets available here. ## Munster's Starting Lineup Munster: Patrick Campbell; Liam Coombes, Tom Farrell, Seán O’Brien, Shay McCarthy; Billy Burns, Ethan Coughlan; Jeremy Loughman, Diarmuid Barron (C), John Ryan; Gavin Coombes, Fineen Wycherley; Ruadhán Quinn, John Hodnett, Jack O’Donoghue. ## The Replacements Replacements from: Scott Buckley, Max Clein, Niall Scannell, Josh Wycherley, Stephen Archer, Ronan Foxe, Conor Ryan, Jack Daly, Alex Kendellen, Jack Oliver, Luca Cleary, Tony Butler, Bryan Fitzgerald, Diarmuid Kilgallen, Mike Haley. ## A Look at the Opposition Johann van Graan has added depth to his frontrow with Thomas du Toit on Springbok duty and Beno Obano suspended. Bath head of rugby Johann van Graan has re-signed two players he intially released back in June as he puts the final touches together on his squad for the 2024/25 season. Last season's beaten Gallagher Premiership finalists have handed short-term contracts to props Kieran Verden and Archie Stanley having released them earlier in the summer. Loosehead prop Stanley, 22, has been training with the Bath squad during pre-season and has committed to an initial short-term Senior Academy contract. Twenty-five-year-old tighthead prop Verden has also returned to Farleigh House this summer after initially leaving the club at the end of the 2023/24 season and will be available for selection for Bath’s pre-season fixtures which kicks off this weekend with Munster coming to the Recreation Ground on Saturday. The Blue, Black and White will then play Cardiff Rugby, Ealing Trailfinders and the Dragons in pre-season before kicking off their league campaign at home to defending champions Northampton Saints on September 20. ## Bath Rugby's 2024/25 Senior Men's Squad Props: Arthur Cordwell, Thomas du Toit, Archie Griffin, Beno Obano, Will Stuart, Francois van Wyk, Kieran Verden Hooker: Niall Annett, Tom Dunn, Hame Faiva, John Stewart Lock: Harvey Cuckson, Jacques du Plessis, Charlie Ewels, Ross Molony, Quinn Roux Back Row: Alfie Barbeary, Josh Bayliss, Jaco Coetzee, Thompson Cowan, Ted Hill, Guy Pepper, Miles Reid, Ewan Richards, Ethan Staddon, Sam Underhill Scrum-half: Tom Carr-Smith, Neil Le Roux, Louis Schreuder, Ben Spencer Fly-half: Orlando Bailey, Sam Harris, Finn Russell Centre: Will Butt, Louie Hennessey, Ollie Lawrence, Max Ojomoh, Cameron Redpath Wing: Joe Cokanasiga, Regan Grace, Ruaridh McConnochie, Will Muir Full-back: Tom de Glanville, Ciaran Donoghue, Austin Emens ## The Clare Contingent There is a strong Clare contingent among the Munster squad for tomorrow’s pre-season clash with Bath. Doora Barefield’s Ethan Coughlan starts at scrum half on what will be his first outing since making the step up to the senior squad this year, while Killaloe’s Ruadhan Quinn starts in the back row. Ennis man Luca Cleary and Doora Barefield’s Tony Butler are among the replacements for the game. ## A Look Ahead Kickoff tomorrow at the Rec is at 3pm. Munster face Gloucester in their first home game of the season at Virgin Media Park next Friday at 7pm. ## Ready for the Challenge Munster will be looking to build momentum in their pre-season games as they prepare for the upcoming URC season. The team will be looking to make a strong start to the season and challenge for silverware. The team will be looking to make a strong start to the season and challenge for silverware. ## A New Era for Munster This is a new era for Munster Rugby with a new Head Coach, new players, and a new sense of optimism. The team will be looking to build on the success of last season and make a real push for the URC title.