Tipperary rugby star will lead Munster on Saturday against the All Blacks XV
The game is sold-out...Additional seating has been installed at both ends of the ground, increasing the capacity of Thomond Park to 26,267. The game will be exclusively live-streamed on Access Munster
It will be a proud moment for Tipperary's Diarmuid Barron when he leads out Munster on Saturday against the All-Blacks for the sold-out encounter at Thomond Park.
The Munster team has been named for Saturday's clash against the All Blacks XV and the side will be without a number of regulars and those on the injured list for the encounter which kicks off at 5.30pm.
Diarmuid Barron captains Munster with Peter O'Mahony returning to the side for his second appearance of the season after recovering from a hamstring injury.
Diarmuid Kilgallen earns his first cap with a start on the left wing as Academy speedster Shay McCarthy is selected on the right wing.
In total, six Academy players are included in the 23-man squad with Evan O'Connell in line for his first Munster cap.
Stephen Archer, Niall Scannell and Rory Scannell are all included in the squad having helped Munster to a famous win over the Māori All Blacks in 2016.
Mike Haley starts at full-back with McCarthy and Kilgallen on either wing.
Ethan Coughlan and Billy Burns start together in the half-backs with Rory Scannell and Tom Farrell in midfield.
John Ryan, Barron and Archer pack down in the front row with Fineen Wycherley and Tom Ahern in the engine room. It will be Ahern's 50th Munster appearance.
O'Mahony, Hodnett and Gavin Coombes complete the side.
Niall Scannell and Academy props Kieran Ryan and Ronan Foxe provide the front row back-up.
Academy duo O'Connell and Ruadhán Quinn complete the forward cover.
Paddy Patterson, Tony Butler and Academy back three player Ben O'Connor are the backline replacements.
Patterson is in line for his first appearance since New Year’s Day as he returns from a long-term knee injury with O’Connor set for his first appearance of the season.
Munster: Mike Haley; Shay McCarthy, Tom Farrell, Rory Scannell, Diarmuid Kilgallen; Billy Burns, Ethan Coughlan; John Ryan, Diarmuid Barron (C), Stephen Archer; Fineen Wycherley, Tom Ahern; Peter O'Mahony, John Hodnett, Gavin Coombes.
Replacements: Niall Scannell, Kieran Ryan, Ronan Foxe, Evan O'Connell, Ruadhán Quinn, Paddy Patterson, Tony Butler, Ben O'Connor.