MUNSTER HAVE MADE 11 changes as they chase home advantage in the Pro12 semi-finals with victory in Edinburgh tomorrow evening.
Rob Penney’s side are guaranteed their place in the playoffs following Zebre’s shock win against the Ospreys last night, but they still trail Glasgow by a point in the race for second place.
Simon Zebo, one of the four survivors from the defeat against Toulon, switches to full back while Conor Murray, captain Paul O’Connell and CJ Stander are the others to keep their place.
JJ Hanrahan, who came off the bench to play the final 20 minutes in Marseille, starts at out-half for the first time following a groin tear.
Kick off at Meggetland is at 5pm.
Munster: Simon Zebo, Gerhard van den Heever, Johne Murphy, Denis Hurley, Andrew Conway, JJ Hanrahan, Conor Murray, James Cronin, Duncan Casey, John Ryan, Donncha O’Callaghan, Paul O’Connell (c), CJ Stander, Tommy O’Donnell, Paddy Butler.Replacements: Damien Varley, Dave Kilcoyne, Alan Cotter, Dave Foley, James Coughlan, Duncan Williams, Ian Keatley, Luke O’Dea.
Meanwhile Connacht coach Pat Lam has made just one change to his team to take on the Cardiff Blues tomorrow.
Aly Muldowney joins Mick Kearney in the second row with Andrew Browne dropping to the bench.
Connacht: Darragh Leader; Danie Poolman, Robbie Henshaw, Eoin Griffin, Matt Healy; Miah Nikora, Kieran Marmion; Ronan Loughney, Jason Harris-Wright, Rodney Ah You; Aly Muldowney, Mick Kearney; John Muldoon (c), Willie Faloon, Eoin McKeon.Replacements: Dave Heffernan, Denis Buckley, Finlay Bealham, Michael Swift, Andrew Browne, Frank Murphy, Dan Parks, Gavin Duffy.
The David Connolly(?) story was the best!
Connolly became big headed when they named the train station after him. I knew it was a mistake.
@GARFARKLE: I hope he doesn’t turn out like Whitney Heuston.
@John Smith: must’ve indulged in Dutch culture a bit too much when he played reserve football there
@Armchair Follower: brilliant
@Armchair Follower: she did go off the rails in fairness
@GARFARKLE: bit of a ceannt alright
Reid was treated disgracefully. He wasn’t the Irish messi – he could however do something few others in the team were capable of – play a forward pass and keep possession.
@Colm O’Sullivan: And, play the guitar.
Good luck to arter, he has been weak for us in most of the games he has played.
How many grannies did Stephen ireland-ish say he had again ? Lol
@paul fennelly For the record, 1. Roy Keane complained about the training facilities several times during home matches before the World Cup. 2. McCarthy promised everything would be sorted by the World Cup. 3. Keane threatened to walk out of tournament on reaching Saipan because of the substandard facilities 4. He was convinced to stay for the sake of the fans 5. Next morning McCarthy called a meeting with everyone involved in the squad except for Keane and then he sent someone for Keane after everyone else had turned up. He confronted him in front of everyone about an interview only just published that he had given several days before and after an argument he sent Keane home. RESULT Keane was SENT home. This is fact, why do people insist that he walked out?
@John Mullin: You obviously haven’t read his own book. Funny as you sound like such a fan
Stephen Ireland’s career went downhill when granny-gate happened for both club and country. His head has never been screwed on. Only himself to blame.