MUNSTER HAVE RECALLED captain Peter O’Mahony and left wing Simon Zebo after the international duo proved their fitness for tomorrow’s Guinness Pro12 semi-final against the Ospreys in Thomond Park [KO 14.30].
O’Mahony missed last weekend’s win over the Dragons with a hip injury, while Zebo was absent with the back issue that forced him off in the league clash with Ulster two weekends ago.
O'Mahony at Munster training in Thomond Park earlier this week. James Crombie / INPHO
James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO
The Ireland pair have recovered to take their places in Anthony Foley’s starting XV, however, while hooker Duncan Casey is fit to be included on the bench after a recent back injury.
Otherwise, the team is much as expected as Felix Jones, Keith Earls and Zebo renew their back three combination outside the centre pairing of Andrew Smith and Denis Hurley. Ian Keatley and Conor Murray continue as the halfbacks.
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Stephen Archer gets the nod at tighthead prop ahead of BJ Botha with Dave Kilcoyne on the loosehead side and Eusebio Guinazu at hooker, while Donncaha Ryan moves back into the second row to make room for O’Mahony in the six shirt. With Tommy O’Donnell missing on account of his hamstring injury, Paddy Butler is at openside again.
Paul O’Connell is in the second row for what might prove to be his final appearance for Munster at Thomond Park.
Meanwhile, Ospreys coach Steve Tandy has made just two changes to the side that beat Connacht last weekend in Galway, as Jeff Hassler comes in on the right wing and Wales international Dan Lydiate replaces James King in the back row.
Munster
15. Felix Jones
14. Keith Earls
13. Andrew Smith
12. Denis Hurley
11. Simon Zebo
10. Ian Keatley
9. Conor Murray
1. Dave Kilcoyne
2. Eusebio Guinazu
3. Stephen Archer
4. Donnacha Ryan
5. Paul O’Connell
6. Peter O’Mahony (captain)
7. Paddy Butler
8. CJ Stander
Replacements:
16. Duncan Casey
17. John Ryan
18. BJ Botha
19. Billy Holland
20. Jack O’Donoghue
21. Duncan Williams
22. JJ Hanrahan
23. Ronan O’Mahony
Ospreys
15. Dan Evans
14. Jeff Hassler
13. Ben John
12. Josh Matavesi
11. Eli Walker
10. Dan Biggar
9. Rhys Webb
1. Nicky Smith
2. Scott Baldwin
3. Dmitri Arhip
4. Tyler Ardron
5. Alun Wyn Jones (captain)
6. Dan Lydiate
7. Justin Tipuric
8. Dan Baker
Replacements:
16. Sam Parry
17. Marc Thomas
18. Aaron Jarvis
19. Rory Thornton
20. James King
21. Tom Habberfield
22. Sam Davies
23. Jonathan Spratt
Captain O'Mahony and Zebo fit to start Munster's Pro12 semi-final in Thomond
MUNSTER HAVE RECALLED captain Peter O’Mahony and left wing Simon Zebo after the international duo proved their fitness for tomorrow’s Guinness Pro12 semi-final against the Ospreys in Thomond Park [KO 14.30].
O’Mahony missed last weekend’s win over the Dragons with a hip injury, while Zebo was absent with the back issue that forced him off in the league clash with Ulster two weekends ago.
The Ireland pair have recovered to take their places in Anthony Foley’s starting XV, however, while hooker Duncan Casey is fit to be included on the bench after a recent back injury.
Otherwise, the team is much as expected as Felix Jones, Keith Earls and Zebo renew their back three combination outside the centre pairing of Andrew Smith and Denis Hurley. Ian Keatley and Conor Murray continue as the halfbacks.
Stephen Archer gets the nod at tighthead prop ahead of BJ Botha with Dave Kilcoyne on the loosehead side and Eusebio Guinazu at hooker, while Donncaha Ryan moves back into the second row to make room for O’Mahony in the six shirt. With Tommy O’Donnell missing on account of his hamstring injury, Paddy Butler is at openside again.
Paul O’Connell is in the second row for what might prove to be his final appearance for Munster at Thomond Park.
Meanwhile, Ospreys coach Steve Tandy has made just two changes to the side that beat Connacht last weekend in Galway, as Jeff Hassler comes in on the right wing and Wales international Dan Lydiate replaces James King in the back row.
Munster
15. Felix Jones
14. Keith Earls
13. Andrew Smith
12. Denis Hurley
11. Simon Zebo
10. Ian Keatley
9. Conor Murray
1. Dave Kilcoyne
2. Eusebio Guinazu
3. Stephen Archer
4. Donnacha Ryan
5. Paul O’Connell
6. Peter O’Mahony (captain)
7. Paddy Butler
8. CJ Stander
Replacements:
16. Duncan Casey
17. John Ryan
18. BJ Botha
19. Billy Holland
20. Jack O’Donoghue
21. Duncan Williams
22. JJ Hanrahan
23. Ronan O’Mahony
Ospreys
15. Dan Evans
14. Jeff Hassler
13. Ben John
12. Josh Matavesi
11. Eli Walker
10. Dan Biggar
9. Rhys Webb
1. Nicky Smith
2. Scott Baldwin
3. Dmitri Arhip
4. Tyler Ardron
5. Alun Wyn Jones (captain)
6. Dan Lydiate
7. Justin Tipuric
8. Dan Baker
Replacements:
16. Sam Parry
17. Marc Thomas
18. Aaron Jarvis
19. Rory Thornton
20. James King
21. Tom Habberfield
22. Sam Davies
23. Jonathan Spratt
Referee: Nigel Owens [WRU].
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Anthony Foley Guinness PRO12 Leader Munster Peter O'Mahony Simon Zebo Steve Tandy Team news Ospreys Thomond Park