Munster head coach Johann van Graan. Giuseppe Fama / INPHO
Giuseppe Fama / INPHO / INPHO
JOHANN VAN GRAAN has named his Munster starting line-up for tomorrow evening’s Guinness Pro14 clash with Ospreys at Musgrave Park [KO 5.30pm, Sky Sports Action].
Van Graan was on the touchline in Italy for Sunday’s win over Zebre, but the meeting with the struggling Welsh side will mark his first game with full control of the southern province. Forwards coach Jerry Flannery and backs coach Felix Jones took the reins last weekend to allow for a smooth transition following the departure of Rassie Erasmus.
Van Graan has made two changes to the team that saw off Zebre. With out-half Ian Keatley and prop John Ryan returning from international duty with Ireland, both players have been included at the expense of JJ Hanrahan and Stephen Archer respectively.
Despite picking up a knee injury five days ago in Italy, Simon Zebo has been passed fit to start at full-back. Duncan Williams returns from injury but the scrum-half has to settle for a place on the bench, with James Hart retaining the number nine jersey.
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Munster are in second place in Conference A with six wins from their nine games so far, with the Ospreys propping up the table following seven defeats already in this campaign.
Munster:
15. Simon Zebo
14. Darren Sweetnam
13. Sam Arnold
12. Rory Scannell
11. Alex Wootton
10. Ian Keatley
9. James Hart
1. Liam O’Connor
2. Rhys Marshall
3. John Ryan
4. Jean Kleyn
5. Billy Holland (captain)
6. Jack O’Donoghue
7. Chris Cloete
8. Robin Copeland
Replacements:
16. Kevin O’Byrne
17. Brian Scott
18. Stephen Archer
19. Darren O’Shea
20. Sean O’Connor
21. Duncan Williams
22. JJ Hanrahan
23. Calvin Nash
Ospreys:
15. Dan Evans
14. Hanno Dirksen
13. Kieron Fonotia
12. James Hook
11. Jeff Hassler
10. Sam Davies
9. Tom Habberfield
1. Gareth Thomas
2. Sam Parry
3. Dmitri Arhip
4. Lloyd Ashley
5. Bradley Davies (captain)
6. Olly Cracknell
7. Will Jones
8. James King
Replacements:
16. Scott Baldwin
17. Rowan Jenkins
18. Ma’afu Fia
19. Rob McCusker
20. Guy Mercer
21. Reuben Morgan-Williams
22. Luke Price
23. Joe Thomas
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Van Graan makes two changes as Ireland duo return to face Ospreys
JOHANN VAN GRAAN has named his Munster starting line-up for tomorrow evening’s Guinness Pro14 clash with Ospreys at Musgrave Park [KO 5.30pm, Sky Sports Action].
Van Graan was on the touchline in Italy for Sunday’s win over Zebre, but the meeting with the struggling Welsh side will mark his first game with full control of the southern province. Forwards coach Jerry Flannery and backs coach Felix Jones took the reins last weekend to allow for a smooth transition following the departure of Rassie Erasmus.
Van Graan has made two changes to the team that saw off Zebre. With out-half Ian Keatley and prop John Ryan returning from international duty with Ireland, both players have been included at the expense of JJ Hanrahan and Stephen Archer respectively.
Despite picking up a knee injury five days ago in Italy, Simon Zebo has been passed fit to start at full-back. Duncan Williams returns from injury but the scrum-half has to settle for a place on the bench, with James Hart retaining the number nine jersey.
Munster are in second place in Conference A with six wins from their nine games so far, with the Ospreys propping up the table following seven defeats already in this campaign.
Munster:
15. Simon Zebo
14. Darren Sweetnam
13. Sam Arnold
12. Rory Scannell
11. Alex Wootton
10. Ian Keatley
9. James Hart
1. Liam O’Connor
2. Rhys Marshall
3. John Ryan
4. Jean Kleyn
5. Billy Holland (captain)
6. Jack O’Donoghue
7. Chris Cloete
8. Robin Copeland
Replacements:
16. Kevin O’Byrne
17. Brian Scott
18. Stephen Archer
19. Darren O’Shea
20. Sean O’Connor
21. Duncan Williams
22. JJ Hanrahan
23. Calvin Nash
Ospreys:
15. Dan Evans
14. Hanno Dirksen
13. Kieron Fonotia
12. James Hook
11. Jeff Hassler
10. Sam Davies
9. Tom Habberfield
1. Gareth Thomas
2. Sam Parry
3. Dmitri Arhip
4. Lloyd Ashley
5. Bradley Davies (captain)
6. Olly Cracknell
7. Will Jones
8. James King
Replacements:
16. Scott Baldwin
17. Rowan Jenkins
18. Ma’afu Fia
19. Rob McCusker
20. Guy Mercer
21. Reuben Morgan-Williams
22. Luke Price
23. Joe Thomas
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