PREVIEW…
Today. Kick-off 3.15pm, Coventry Building Society Arena
WASPS back row Alfie Barbeary will make his first start since March in the Champions Cup opener against Munster. The highly-rated 21-year-old starts at the expense of Thomas Young, who drops to the bench.
Michael Le Bourgeois comes in at centre with Sam Wolstenholme stepping up to a starting scrum-half role.
Wasps have lost their last three Premiership games and are missing a clutch of big-name stars with Jack Willis, Joe Launchbury, Vaea Fifita, Malakai Fekitoa, Paolo Odogwu and Dan Robson all ruled out.
Five of Munster's starting XV are making their senior debuts after their squad suffered a Covid outbreak.
Fourteen players and staff tested positive during the team's abandoned trip to South Africa to play two United Rugby Championship matches.
However a core of Ireland internationals stayed at home as they rested in the wake of the Autumn Internationals and captain Peter O'Mahony, Tadhg Beirne and Conor Murray all start.
South Africa centre Damian de Allende forms a powerful midfield partnership with Chris Farrell while No.8 Daniel Okeke and full-back Patrick Campbell, both 19, are handed starts.
The postponement of their games in South Africa means Munster have not played since their 18-10 defeat to Ospreys on October 23.
