ANTHONY FOLEY HAS made two changes for Munster’s final Pool 4 clash against Treviso.
Foley’s side travel to Italy on Sunday with their Champions Cup challenge effectively dead — although there is still a remote mathematical possibility of qualifying for the knockout rounds if multiple other results go their way.
John Ryan, who signed a new three-year deal with the province earlier today, starts at tighthead while Donnacha Ryan returns to the second row.
There is a boost among the replacements too where James Cronin returns to the 23 following the ankle ligament injury which has sidelined him since late December.
Kick-off in the Stadio Monigo is at 1pm on Sunday. The game is live on BT Sport.
Benetton Treviso
15. Jayden Hayward
14. Andrea Pratichetti
13. Enrico Bacchin
12. Alberto Sgarbi
11. Simone Ragusi
10. James Ambrosini
9. Alberto Lucchese
1. Matteo Zanusso
2. Ornel Gega
3. Simone Ferrari
4. Marco Fuser
5. Jeff Montauriol
6. Marco Lazzaroni
7. Alessandro Zanni (c)
8. Abraham Steyn
Replacements:
16. Davide Giazzon
17. Alberto De Marchi
18. Salesi Manu
19. Tom Palmer
20. Marco Barbini
21. Tommaso Iannone
22. Sam Christie
23. Luke McLean
Munster
15. Simon Zebo
14. Keith Earls
13. Francis Saili
12. Rory Scannell
11. Ronan O’Mahony
10. Ian Keatley
9. Conor Murray
1. Dave Kilcoyne
2. Mike Sherry
3. John Ryan
4. Dave Foley
5. Donnacha Ryan
6. Billy Holland
7. Tommy O’Donnell
8. CJ Stander (c)
Replacements:
16. Niall Scannell
17. James Cronin
18. Mario Sagario
19. Mark Chisholm
20. Robin Copeland
21. Jack O’Donoghue
22. Tomás O’Leary
23. Gerhard van den Heever
I really wish they’d start Rory Scannell at 10 for a few games…
Holland at 6 again over genuine backrows JOD,Copeland and Coghlan I really don’t understand? Good to see O’Mahony getting a run of games, John Ryan getting game time over a short term signing and VDH finally making a return to the 23. Hopefully Scannell is given a shot with kicking duties.
Holland at 6 doesn’t offer the same quality as some on the bench. Physically he’s small for a 6.
Does offer a line out option, it went well against Stade last week – bar the overthrow that led to their try :(
Munster have looked leaderless in the run of games leading up to last week and Holland is an experienced head that can give leadership
After a horrible run of games (Stade Francais twice, Leinster, Tigers twice and Ulster) there is some breathing room on the horizon.
Half of our games over the next 8 matches are against Italian teams (two against Zebre, two against Treviso) which takes the pressure off. There is also a match against Glasgow in the heart of the 6 Nations when they will likely be missing over a dozen players to Scotland.
Pressures off if they win them. Unfortunately they’re in a spot now where they can’t afford anymore slip ups
Really strong team.
Agreed. 6-2 split again on the bench. Good to see that he can pick almost the same team two weeks in a row.
What’s the story with Copeland, not that long ago he would’ve been looking down the barrel of a 6n squad place, now……impact sub???
I’ve found him to be very underwhelming if I’m honest despite the odd flash. Massively inconsistent, never a like for swop with Chucken(