JJ Hanrahan starts in new Munster midfield against Clermont

After a week in which he has been linked with a possible move to Northampton, JJ Hanrahan has been handed a starting role in a new Munster midfield for the tough trip to France to play Clermont Auvergne at Stade Marcel-Michelin on Sunday (3.15pm Irish time).

The Kerryman will start at inside centre and is joined by Andrew Smith, with Denis Hurley dropping to the bench and Pat Howard dropping out of the squad following last weekend’s 16-9 defeat to the French side at Thomond Park.

The other change to the backline sees Andrew Conway return to the right wing in place of the injured Gerhard van den Heever.

Munster coach Anthony Foley makes one enforced change in the pack, with injuries to both David Kilcoyne and James Cronin seeing John Ryan come in to make his first European start at loosehead. Argentinian hooker Eusebio Guinazu will provide loosehead cover on the bench.

Ryan will be up against Clermont’s Georgian tighthead Davit Zirakashvili, who replaces Clement Ric, and is one of four changes from last weekend.

The other change in the pack sees Alexandre Lapandry take over from Julien Bonnaire at openside flanker.

In the backline, New Zealand’s Zac Guildford takes over from Fiji’s Napolioni Nalaga on the left wing, while French scrumhalf Morgan Parra returns in place of Ludovic Radoslavjevic.

Pat Lam has made wholesale changes to his Connacht side for the Challenge Cup trip to play Bayonne on Saturday night.

Outhalf Miah Nikora has been handed the captaincy and is partnered by Academy scrumhalf Caolin Blade who makes his first senior start for the province.

Conor Finn will also earn his first competitive start in a centre partnership with Craig Ronaldson.

Darragh Leader is installed at fullback in a back three with Fionn Carr and Niyi Adeolokun on his return from injury.

Up front, Finlay Bealham starts for the first time in a reshuffled pack with Ronan Loughney, Dave Heffernan, Michael Swift and Willie Faloon also promoted from the bench. After featuring for the Connacht Eagles on Saturday following a six-week absence, lock Aly Muldowney is back in action for the senior side.

Academy forward James Connolly will make his Connacht debut, the 21-year-old from Naas featuring in a backrow with Faloon and Danny Qualter at Number 8 for his own first start.

Named on the bench, Academy prop Saba Meunargia could also make his Connacht debut tomorrow night. The 20-year-old Georgian-born player attended Marist College and has represented Ireland at under-18 (club and schools) and under-19 level. Last season the Buccaneers club man was called into the Ireland under-20 squad.

MUNSTER (v Clermont Auvergne, Stade Marcel-Michelin, Sunday, 3.15pm Irish time): Felix Jones; Andrew Conway, Andrew Smith, JJ Hanrahan, Simon Zebo; Ian Keatley, Conor Murray; John Ryan, Duncan Casey, BJ Botha; Dave Foley, Paul O'Connell; Peter O'Mahony (capt), Tommy O'Donnell, CJ Stander.

Replacements: Kevin O'Byrne, Eusebio Guinazu, Stephen Archer, Billy Holland, Robin Copeland, Duncan Williams, Denis Hurley, Johne Murphy.

CLERMONT AUVERGNE: Nick Abendanon; Noa Nakaitaci, Aurélien Rougerie, Wesley Fofana, Zac Guildford; Camille Lopez, Morgan Parra; Thomas Domingo, Benjamin Kayser, Davit Zirakashvili; Jamie Cudmore, Sébastien Vahaamahina; Damien Chouly (capt), Alexandre Lapandry, Fritz Lee.

Replacements: John Ulugia, Raphael Chaume, Clément Ric, Julien Pierre, Julien Bardy, Ludovic Radoslavjevic , Brock James, Benson Stanley.

CONNACHT (v Bayonne, Stade Jean-Dauger, Saturday, 7.45pm Irish time): Darragh Leader; Niyi Adeolokun, Conor Finn, Craig Ronaldson, Fionn Carr; Miah Nikora (capt), Caolin Blade; Ronan Loughney, Dave Heffernan, Finlay Bealham; Michael Swift, Aly Muldowney; James Connolly, Willie Faloon, Danny Qualter.

Replacements: Shane Delahunt, Denis Buckley, Saba Meunargia, George Naoupu, Eoin McKeon, Kieran Marmion, Dave McSharry, Matt Healy.

BAYONNE: Jon Elissalde; Saimoni Vaka, Lalakai Foketi, Matthieu Ugalde, Pierre Sayerse; Clement Otazo, Christophe Loustalot (capt); JC Van Rensburg, David Roumieu, Florian Lapeyrade; Pelu Ian Taele, Lisiate Fa'aoso; Baptiste Chouzenoux, Clement Ancely, Thibault Visensang.

Replacements: Simon Labouyrie, Aretz Iguiniz, Gert Muller, Mark Chisholm, Bastien Duhalde, Guillaume Rouet, Gabi Lovobalavu, Jean Monribot.