Tyler Bleyendaal will captain Munster in their pre-season game against London Irish in Irish Independent Park. ©INPHO/Billy Stickland

An extended Munster squad has been named by Head Coach Johann van Graan for Friday night’s season opener against London Irish at Irish Independent Park (7.30pm).

An extended Munster squad has been named by Head Coach Johann van Graan for Friday night’s season opener against London Irish at Irish Independent Park (7.30pm).

Tickets for the game are available here.

Eight Greencore Munster Rugby Academy players are named with John Hodnett, Keynan Knox and Alex McHenry set to make their first starts for the senior side.

Fellow Academy player Liam Coombes also starts with Diarmuid Barron, Thomas Ahern, Jack O’Sullivan and Ben Healy included among the replacements.

Out-half Tyler Bleyendaal captains the side and is partnered in the half-backs by Neil Cronin.

Darren Sweetnam starts for Munster at full-back for the first time as Calvin Nash and Liam Coombes are named on either flank with Dan Goggin and Alex McHenry forming the centre partnership.

Jeremy Loughman, Kevin O’Byrne and Knox start in the front row with Darren O’Shea and Fineen Wycherley in the engine room.

Jack O’Donoghue, Hodnett and Gavin Coombes complete the side.

Named among the replacements, Thomas Ahern, Jack O’Sullivan, Nick McCarthy and Ben Healy may make their debuts on Friday night.

The clash will see the Munster senior men’s side wear the new adidas home kit, available exclusively at Life Style Sports, for the first time.

Munster: Darren Sweetnam; Calvin Nash, Alex McHenry, Dan Goggin, Liam Coombes; Tyler Bleyendaal (C), Neil Cronin; Jeremy Loughman, Kevin O’Byrne, Keynan Knox; Darren O’Shea, Fineen Wycherley; Jack O’Donoghue, John Hodnett, Gavin Coombes.

Replacements from: Diarmuid Barron, James Cronin, Peter McCabe, Stephen Archer, Thomas Ahern, Seán O’Connor, Arno Botha, Tommy O’Donnell, Jack O’Sullivan, Craig Casey, Nick McCarthy, JJ Hanrahan, Ben Healy, Shane Daly, Rory Scannell, Mike Haley.

Correction: Alex McHenry replaces Sammy Arnold in the side initially announced.

Tickets

Family Pack (2 adults and 2 juniors): €30

Adults: €15

Juniors: €5

Press Pass

Defence Coach JP Ferreira, Craig Casey and Fineen Wycherley spoke to the media this week ahead of the game.