MUNSTER BOSS JOHANN van Graan has named Ireland centre Chris Farrell in his team to face the Southern Kings in their Guinness Pro14 clash at Musgrave Park tomorrow evening [KO 7.35pm, eir Sport/Premier Sports].
The imposing midfielder – who started for Ireland against Scotland last weekend – is one of five players who return to the Munster side after recent involvement in Joe Schmidt’s Six Nations squad, with Niall Scannell, John Ryan, Billy Holland and Andrew Conway – now recovered from a calf issue – all picked to start too.
In total, van Graan has made seven changes to the Munster team that beat the Dragons three weekends ago, as Tyler Bleyendaal captains the XV in his first start of the season in the 10 shirt.
Mike Haley is at fullback with Conway and Darren Sweetnam on the wings, while Farrell is joined by Rory Scannell in midfield and Bleyendaal partners up with Neil Cronin in the halfbacks.
Scannell and Ryan join Jeremy Loughman in the front row, as Jean Kleyn packs down with Holland in the second row.
Chris Cloete features for the first time since picking up a neck injury in December against Leinster, the openside combining with Arno Botha and the promising Fineen Wycherley in the back row.
Munster’s bench features the returning JJ Hanrahan – fit again after a hip injury – and academy back row Gavin Coombes.
Munster:
15. Mike Haley
14. Andrew Conway
13. Chris Farrell
12. Rory Scannell
11. Darren Sweetnam
10. Tyler Bleyendaal (captain)
9. Neil Cronin
1. Jeremy Loughman
2. Niall Scannell
3. John Ryan
4. Jean Kleyn
5. Billy Holland
6. Fineen Wycherley
7. Chris Cloete
8. Arno Botha
Replacements:
16. Rhys Marshall
17. Liam O’Connor
18. Stephen Archer
19. Darren O’Shea
20. Gavin Coombes
21. Alby Mathewson
22. JJ Hanrahan
23. Dan Goggin
Southern Kings:
15. Masixole Banda
14. Yaw Penxe
13. Meli Rokoua
12. Berton Klaasen
11. Bjorn Basson
10. Bader Pretorius
9. Stefan Ungerer
1. Schalk Ferreira
2. Michael Willemse
3. De-Jay Terblanche
4. Andries Van Schalkwyk
5. John-Charles Astle (captain)
6. Stephan De Wit
7. Martinus Burger
8. Ruaan Lerm
Replacements:
16. Alandre Van Rooyen
17. Alulutho Tshakweni
18. Pieter Scholtz
19. Stephan Greeff
20. Andisa Ntsila
21. Sarel Pretorius
22. Tertius Kruger
23. Ulrich Beyers
Referee: Andrea Piardi [Italy].
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He’s not as disappointed as some on relation to how far off they are? They are miles off. No offence to Munster but they are an average,though very gutsy and committed side,and they have hammers Leinster twice in a row now. I do agree that they haven’t had any continuity with combinations,especially from 9-13,and hopefully when the likes of OBrien, Healy, Moore, Teo, McFadden etc come back then there will be a big improvement.
I must take the opportunity to praise Matt O’Connor for the huge improvement in Guinness Pro12 teams. Ever since he arrived at Leinster, every other team has greatly improved. Teams, that two years ago were almost brushed aside by Leinster, have now reached the heights that Leinster once inhabited alone.
Treviso have improved, Munster have improved, Edinburgh have improved, Scarlets have improved, Dragons have improved, Zebra have improved, Connacht (brilliant tonight, by the way) have improved..
In fact, they have all improved so much that Leinster has great difficulty taking on any of them.
By extension, Wasps and Harlequins have shown just how brilliant they are too due to you Matt.
I can hardly wait to see how much Castres get better when they arrive at the RDS soon. They will build statues in your image all over the town.
Matt, you have done European rugby a great service. They have all reached and surpassed Leinster this season thanks to your input at Leinster and everywhere else.
Thank you Matt and Happy New year!.
(and also to Mr Caputo, the news paper seller. Your influence on all other teams has been exceptional)