JJ HANRAHAN WILL start at inside centre for Munster’s make-or-break Champions Cup trip to Clermont Auvergne.

Hanrahan’s return comes following 48 hours of uncertainty about his future amid reported interest from the Northampton Saints.

The young playmaker now looks set to stay with his native province and head coach Anthony Foley has named him in a new-look midfield pairing inside Andrew Smith.

Foley’s only other changes are enforced ones with Dave Kilcoyne, James Cronin and Gerhard van den Heever all ruled out by injury.

The loss of two looseheads means a first European start for John Ryan who comes into the front row alongside Duncan Casey and BJ Botha, while Andrew Conway replaces van den Heever on the right wing.

Kick-off at the Stade Marcel-Michelin is at 3.15pm (Irish time) on Sunday.

Munster

15. Felix Jones
14. Andrew Conway
13. Andrew Smith
12. JJ Hanrahan
11. Simon Zebo
10. Ian Keatley
9. Conor Murray
1. John Ryan
2. Duncan Casey
3. BJ Botha
4. Dave Foley
5. Paul O’Connell
6. Peter O’Mahony (c)
7. Tommy O’Donnell
8. CJ Stander

Replacements:

16. Kevin O’Byrne
17. Eusebio Guinazu
18. Stephen Archer
19. Billy Holland
20. Robin Copeland
21. Duncan Williams
22. Denis Hurley
23. Johne Murphy

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