MUNSTER WILL HAVE Peter O’Mahony in their starting line-up for the first time in over a year when they take on Leinster tomorrow at the Aviva Stadum [KO 2.05pm, TG4 & Sky Sports 1].
O’Mahony, who returned last weekend as a substitute in the win against Zebre for the first time since injuring his knee at the 2015 Rugby World Cup, will captain his side for the inter-provincial derby in the Guinness Pro12.
Second-placed Munster, who are a point ahead of Leinster in third, have made five changes in personnel from their 49-5 defeat of the Italians, as new Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus aims for a fourth consecutive victory.
After making his Munster debut against Zebre, South African international centre Jaco Taute drops to the bench to be replaced by Rory Scannell, who’s back from a neck injury he sustained in the loss to Cardiff Blues in round two. The other change in the backs is on the wing, where Ronan O’Mahony comes in for Alex Wootton.
There are two changes in the front row, with Niall Scannell and John Ryan given the nod ahead of Duncan Casey and Stephen Archer, both of whom are named among the replacements.
With Peter O’Mahony coming into the back row, Billy Holland hands over the captain’s armband and moves into the second row alongside Donnacha Ryan, and Darren O’Shea drops out of the matchday squad.
Munster:
15. Simon Zebo
14. Darren Sweetnam
13. Keith Earls
12. Rory Scannell
11. Ronan O’Mahony
10. Tyler Bleyendaal
9. Conor Murray
1. Dave Kilcoyne
2. Niall Scannell
3. John Ryan
4. Donnacha Ryan
5. Billy Holland
6. Peter O’Mahony (captain)
7. Tommy O’Donnell
8. CJ Stander
Replacements:
16. Duncan Casey
17. James Cronin
18. Stephen Archer
19. Robin Copeland
20. Jack O’Donoghue
21. Duncan Williams
22. Ian Keatley
23. Jaco Taute
Glad to see so many top notch players coming back for this game. A part of me will hate seeing Henshaw in blue, but the thought of having him form a partnership with ringrose is promising to say the least. Hopefully both teams get through it without injuries, from both a neutral and Irish perspective this game needs to let both teams really flex their muscles before Europe.
5 past 2 on a Saturday why oh why.
Can’t wait for this one, should be a great game. 42 of the 46 players on show are Irish qualified as well, great stuff.
I’m a little bit terrified that POM is going to hurt himself again :s While I’m super happy he’s back, and I want him playing, I’m just hoping he doesn’t go full POM on them just yet and give himself time to get match fit! (Admittedly, this match could be a huge indicator as to what point he’s at too!)
Would prefer to see Earls on the wing.
There’s no fear of that in time. Taute would have been the plan but not enough time. Earls 13 is a good shout considering.
That’s a serious back row! Can’t wait for this.
Class team and ridiculous back-row. Can’t wait for this one!
Outside of the obvious issues at halfback backups and Copeland covering lock it’s is a promising team. The development of Ryan, the Scannells, Sweetnam and the return of POM and Tyler has really covered up some major weaknesses in the squad. Massive game for Munster and especially massive game for the like of Ryan and R.Scannell to establish themselves directly opposite full internationals.
Prior to joining Cardiff Copeland was primarily a lock with Plymouth and Rotherham. He has plenty of experience in the position and is 6’5″.
Less a commentary on his ability to play lock, a position where there is less competition and he would have more of a chance of staking a claim, more of issue with the generally meh nature of his performances since joining. Solid but unspectacular to say the least.
Can someone tell me when was the last time O’Donnell, O’Mahony and Stander all started for Munster?
Two great teams on show..hopefully all will end up injury free..because it’s going to be a battle..great to see Pete back..cj v heaslip will be worth the money alone..can’t wait
Great lineup. Really looks like we have the best team in the country again on paper, time to prove it on the pitch.
You crack us all up Rochelle. Never change.
@Rochelle: Not enough experience at 10/12 to be the best team on paper. The back row, nine and back three (particularly if Earls is moved to the wing) are very strong but the whole front five, while looking unreal in the Pro 12, so far are unproven at the highest level.
By crack us all you really mean they drive you mad to the point of an unhealthy infatuation ?
Delighted to have POM back and probably needs the gametime ahead of the Euro games to get back up the match speed but… really harsh to drop Jack O’D the way he has been performing recently and over the course of POM’s absence. Filled in across the back row and excelled over last 12 months and much like Sweetnam I feel like a start against Leinster and chance to prove himself against that back row has been thoroughly earned.
Great news for Leinster that O’Donnell is at openside ahead of Oliver
Great news for Munster that karnage is full back.. lol
Oh Arliss, I feel for you sometimes. It must be have a lasting effect to be burned so often when trying to be a pr1ck, I mean sarcastic and witty
Yeah baby!
That’s a very good looking munster team
Thought Cronin and Casey would start, and thought we’d see Taute 13, Earls on the wing but otherwise very good team in the circumstances. Been said before but that is one tasty backrow.
@Thomas Moroney: Thomas I’m a Leinster supporter but I really like James Cronin as a loose head prop. I think he is stronger than Kilcoyne and almost as dynamic around the pitch. I wonder is Schmidt making noises about playing Kilcoyne from the start. I think you said previously that you are a Bruff man so I wonder why you are not backing Kilcoyne another Bruff man I think. Doesn’t his brother play on the wing for the firsts. Or maybe you are being honest in your opinion of each player. By the way I know a couple of the Bruff older brigade from my involvement in youth rugby over the years.
He’s actually from UL Bohs. I’m not actually from Bruff myself, they’re my local club, played a few years underage there (was never much good myself, gave up a while back). Anyways, yeah, I personally think Cronin is better rn, but it is close. Kilcoyne is a seriously destructive ball carrier, not too far behind Stander, but Cronin is more of an all round player, does some good work at the breakdown.
Just to pipe in on the Kilcoyne/Cronin debate; I think the concern with Cronin is that his discipline is the biggest issue. Kilcoyne is a steadier player, and personally I’d rather a solid peformance from him than 5 mins of Cronin and a sinbinning, which could easily happen.
@Paul Murphy: Well it seems Schmidt didn’t have Cronin at the latest Irish camp. Therefore one would assume that he rates Kilcoyne higher and thereby would want him starting for Munster.
Not especially happy that Copeland is covering second row but good team.
That’s some strong team ,nice to see pom start ,come on munster!!!!!
Munster fan here but guys on this comment stream need to calm down. It’s a promising team and that’s it. Getting to latter stages of Europe is a pipe dream. No out half, no dominant second row and outside of Zebo & Earls, backs are limited! #rebuilding
@Adrian O Driscoll: Have you tried actually watching Munster this season? Scannell was one of our best players last year and Sweetnam is our player of the season so far. Bleyendaal looking very promising so far as well.
I have and the pro12 is a sub standard competition. Racing & Leicester will be the benchmark and unfortunately, Munster will be way off. No doubt scannell played well last year in a poorly coached team but he will be up against imhoff, carter, burns, possibly tuilagi.
Qualifying for the latter stages of the Champions Cup must be their goal. Not getting out of the group stages for the last 2 seasons is failure for a team of Munsters stature.
But you just said like two comments ago that getting to the latter stages of Eurpoe is a pipe dream for this team… which is it?
It is a pipe dream in my opinion for this current team but Munster are the best team to quieten the doubters, so getting out of the group has to be their goal. Being competitive in pro12 against mediocrity is a waste of time. Pity Johnny had to retire and if we are relying on Tyler or Keatley to win us games, it’s madness. Saili has flopped and could have got a decent centre & outhalf for what we are paying.
So as I said is it qualifying for the latter stages or getting out of the group their goal. I mean you can’t have one with out the other but in 2 posts back to back you have set different goals. Being competitive against mediocrity is a waste of time?. It also doesn’t make sense because if your not competitive against mediocrity you aren’t even mediocre which one would think would have a knock on affect on your stated goals which has something to do with europe