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O'Connell and Ryan doing what they do best. Dan Sheridan/INPHO

Munster fans will be overjoyed to see the destructive second row pairing for this weekend

Paul O’Connell and Donnacha Ryan are as physical as they come.

DONNACHA RYAN HAS had a terrible time with injuries this season but he is finally getting a run of games at the perfect time for Anthony Foley and Munster.

Ryan will partner Paul O’Connell at second row when Munster run out at Ravenhill tomorrow afternoon, with the inclusion of the Ireland captain one of three changes to the team.

Amazingly, it will be the first time that the duo have played together at second row since away to Perpignan in December 2013.

There is one other change to the pack, with Eusebio Guinazu coming in for Duncan Casey at hooker while Denis Hurley has been pickled to play alongside Andrew Smith in the centre.

An away win for Munster will almost certainly see them claim a home Pro12 semi-final, so there is plenty to play for.

The game kicks off tomorrow at 14.40.

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 Capt.

7. Tommy O’Donnell

8. CJ Stander

 

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.

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23 Comments
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    Mute Chris Mcdonnell
    Favourite Chris Mcdonnell
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    May 18th 2015, 2:32 PM

    Even when on the bench he didn’t get game time. The coach doesn’t like or trust him. Saturday once again showed just how wrong O’connor has been all season

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    Mute Colin Webber
    Favourite Colin Webber
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    May 18th 2015, 6:24 PM

    O’Connor is just all wrong for Leinster.

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    Mute Mark Lawlor
    Favourite Mark Lawlor
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    May 18th 2015, 2:31 PM

    He has a very big chance next season with Leinster during the World Cup, midfield won’t be as competitive so he should get a good run of matches.

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    Mute Chris Mcdonnell
    Favourite Chris Mcdonnell
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    May 18th 2015, 6:56 PM

    Mark if Darcy doesn’t make the World Cup squad, he’ll play 12 with t’eo at 13. Then Madigan and sexton will be back so the midfield won’t be as easy to get into as you may think

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    Mute David Davidson
    Favourite David Davidson
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    May 18th 2015, 4:27 PM

    That pop pass from O’Brien

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    Mute Irish Underage Rugby
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    May 18th 2015, 2:54 PM

    Battle between him and Madigan for the 12 jersey next season.

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    Mute Cian Walker
    Favourite Cian Walker
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    May 19th 2015, 4:02 AM

    It’s always to easy to see who coaches ‘just like/don’t like’. When Gopperth played badly it was ignored whereas when Madigan played mediocre or even if Reid played well decisions went against them.

    It creates such a poisonous culture as some players start to feel entitled to spots and others feel it doesn’t matter how well they play they won’t get picked. Cody and Fergusson were masters at disregarding players identities and judging on match performance alone. MOC is such a stink manager.

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