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Munster field five debutants a...

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Munster field five debutants as Leinster reveal three positive Covid cases


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Five players will make their Munster debuts against Wasps in the Champions Cup on Sunday as Leinster revealed three positive Covid cases.

Munster coach Johann van Graan has seen his squad depleted following the coronavirus positives which originated in South Africa.

Academy quartet Patrick Campbell, Scott Buckley, Eoin O'Connor and Daniel Okeke have got the nod, as has prop James French.

Munster are also able to call upon Ireland internationals Peter O'Mahony, Conor Murray, Joey Carbery, Andrew Conway, Keith Earls and Tadhg Beirne for the encounter in Coventry.

Leinster play Bath at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday and the province has revealed three players are isolating after testing positive for Covid-19.

Leinster are not revealing the identities of the trio.

Head coach Leo Cullen has named a team including Irish players Hugo Keenan, James Lowe, Garry Ringrose, Jamison Gibson Park, Andrew Porter, Tadhg Furlong, Ronan Kelleher, Josh van der Flier and Caelan Doris.

Ross Byrne will play at out half and Rhys Ruddock will skipper the side in the absence of Johnny Sexton.

At his pre-match press conference, Cullen said that Covid is always a risk in the current environment.

"From a personal point of view I have young kids at school. Kids in one my kid's class in particular in the pod in his class were out with Covid. So it always feels like it's very close at the moment. A couple of guys it's taken out this week. It is what it is. Thankfully the guys - they are all okay. We just manage them through."

Ulster also play on Saturday, away to Clermont Auvergne in France.

South African World Cup winner Duane Vermeulen has been named in the back row for the province.

Connacht host Stade Francais at the Sportsground on Sunday.

Jack Carty will captain the side with Shayne Bolton starting at outside centre.

There's also a new look second row of Oisin Dowling and Niall Murray.

Commentary of Munster v Wasps is live on Off the Ball on Sunday.


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