THE MUNSTER BACKLINE that’ll take to the field against Edinburgh this weekend will feature four players who have been released back to the province from the Ireland squad.
Andrew Conway, Shane Daly, Chris Farrell and Craig Casey have all been named in Johann van Graan’s team for tomorrow’s Guinness Pro14 fixture at Murrayfield [KO 7.35pm, eir Sport 1].
It’ll be a first Munster outing since 13 December for Conway, who has been absent for his province’s last five games after initially missing the Heineken Champions Cup victory away to Clermont-Auvergne due to personal reasons.
The game in the Scottish capital will see captain Billy Holland draw level with Ronan O’Gara on 240 appearances for Munster – a tally that is only bettered by Donncha O’Callaghan (268).
Munster:
15. Mike Haley
14. Andrew Conway
13. Chris Farrell
12. Damian de Allende
11. Shane Daly
10. JJ Hanrahan
9. Craig Casey
1. James Cronin
2. Niall Scannell
3. John Ryan
4. Jean Kleyn
5. Billy Holland (captain)
6. Jack O’Donoghue
7. Chris Cloete
8. Gavin Coombes
Replacements:
16. Kevin O’Byrne
17. Jeremy Loughman
18. Stephen Archer
19. Fineen Wycherley
20. Jack O’Sullivan
21. Nick McCarthy
22. Ben Healy
23. Rory Scannell
Edinburgh:
15. Damien Hoyland
14. Jack Blain
13. Mark Bennett
12. Chris Dean
11. Eroni Sau
10. Jaco van der Walt
9. Henry Pyrgos (co-captain)
1. Pierre Schoeman
2. David Cherry
3. Lee-Roy Atalifo
4. Andrew Davidson
5. Grant Gilchrist (co-captain)
6. Nick Haining
7. Luke Crosbie
8. Viliame Mata
Replacements:
16. Mike Willemse
17. Boan Venter
18. Murray McCallum
19. Magnus Bradbury
20. Ally Miller
21. Charlie Shiel
22. Nathan Chamberlain
23. Matt Currie
Great to see Conway back, a massive addition to the squad again hope he has a good game.
@Sean Dalton: so happy to have him back. He adds so much guile and determination to the team. I’d be delighted to see him back with the Ireland team as well, even if (worst case scenario) its at the expense of earls.
Disappointing from an Irish point of view that Healy and Crowley aren’t being given a chance to start.Good to see Casey and Coombes starting at least.
@Cosmo: one of the biggest issues for a lot of these young lads in all 4 provinces is, there’s no other games they can play in to be up to speed, no AIL, random interpro A games (just a few), it’s tough for those lad’s but it’s covid that has taken over, plus we have only 4 teams. It’s harsh but that’s it
@Cosmo: Agree to a point, and we’ll know more in the coming weeks. But Munster have 5 games in 5 weeks. Realistically Healy should ve starting 3 of those but I have my doubts. Cardiff next week is a good chance to start Healy with Crowley on the bench. Munster are so far clear they can make chances. As dramatically highlighted in the last few weeks especially, Ireland has a major issue at 10. We only have 4 teams and 10 is not only a very important position, but it is an area of weakness for the IRFU. Right now, we need to be seeing only those with a realistic shot at starting at 6N now or this side of the RWC getting game time. So that’s Hanrahan ruled out. He should start a max of 2 games in the next 5.
@Cosmo: Healy is getting plenty of game time this season. He has more appearances than H Byrne this season (and overall). 11 appearances vs 8 (although 5 vs 6 starts). They’ve also both played in the H Cup this season. So, his exposure is the same, if not better than H Byrne’s, yet Byrne’s is enough to get him into the Irish squad. It is a pity that Crowley and Flannery aren’t getting game time with Munster though. With Hanrahan the only out half besides Healy, you’d imagine the games Healy starts could be subbed by one of the other two at least. Also, they’ve preferred Scannell as a backup 10 to the two lads, which is a huge missed opportunity.
@SomeGuy: Scanell is an experienced centre in fairness and also his left foot offers another option.
@SomeGuy: Harry has played more for leinster than anyother out half. Leinster have 4 players (maybe 5 if you count hackshaw) that have started at 10. 2 of the players ahead of Ross are internationals.
What’s in front of healy is JJ.
If Ross wasn’t selected ahead of JJ he’d more than likely take up tennis or golf.
@SomeGuy: it’s the Dublin media that is pushing for HB to be included in the Irish team
@Patrick O Connell: The “Dublin media” obsession is funny but also embarrassing. There are a whole host of ex Munster players on OTB and RTE these days and AFAIK, all have advocated for HB to get a start in the championship. Unless you think they’re disingenuous because OTB and RTE are based in Dublin.
@Chris Mc: has Hawkshaw (proper spelling) started at 10? Funny how JJ seems to be more accurate than all 4 or 5 over a full season. It’s ridiculous the way you come in here to sh!t on players while promoting player from your team that make similar errors but with less redeeming points.
@Dave O Keeffe: ah look leinster fans are delighted that your sticking with JJ.
Healy & Crowley will not get valuable game time as long as van graan is still head coach. They would have a lot more caps thus gaining more experience at ANY of the other provinces
@Reg: Healy has more time on the pitch this season than any Leinster 10; Carty is Connacht first choice and not in the Ireland squad; Ulster have Burns and Madigan (also more game time than both this season). So, would he really gain more experience at another province?
@Reg: Munster have 5 games in 5 weeks. They’ll need to use their squad in that time. JvG has room to make changes given how far ahead they are. I hope there’s some pressure from the Union
@John Buckley: Yes and he’s a sub this weekend. For now JJ is our no one 10 so he must also get regular game time.
Would have preferred Wycherley to Holland for starting lock. Donoghue captain.
@Reg: Cowley isn’t getting near the team for a while yet.