Billy Burns to make Munster bow against hometown side

New signing Billy Burns is set to make his Munster debut against hometown side Bath later today in a pre-season friendly at The Rec.

The Ireland international joined Munster in the summer on a one-year contract after six years at Ulster Rugby. Burns made over 100 appearances for Ulster after joining from Gloucester in 2018. He made his Ireland debut against Wales in 2020, earning seven caps. Prior to Ulster Burns made 101 appearances for Gloucester, starting his professional career there as a 17-year-old.

Burns was burn in Bath but qualifies for Ireland through his grandfather.

Diarmuid Barron will captain a 30-player Munster squad traveling to England for the clash against Bath, led by former Munster Head Coach Johann van Graan. Burns and fellow new signing Tom Farrell are both set to start, making their first appearances for Munster. The squad features a mix of senior, academy and club players.

Among the replacements are fellow new signings Bryan Fitzgerald and Diarmuid Kilgallen who are also poised to make their debuts. Academy players Ronan Foxe and Jack Oliver - along with club players Conor Ryan and Luca Cleary - complete the squad.

Patrick Campbell returns to action at full-back after a long-term shoulder injury, with Liam Coombes and Academy player Shay McCarthy on the wings. The new centre partnership of Seán O’Brien and Farrell will feature in today’s match, while Ethan Coughlan and Burns pair up as half-backs.

In the forwards, Jeremy Loughman, Barron and John Ryan form the front row, with Gavin Coombes and Fineen Wycherley in the second row. Academy back-row Ruadhán Quinn, John Hodnett, and Jack O’Donoghue complete the starting lineup. The replacements include Scott Buckley [who returned from a short-term loan with Randwick] and a mix of senior and academy players.

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.

Replacements: 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.