MUNSTER, without their Irish internationals, show 12 changes from their last time out in their starting XV for the game on Saturday against Edinburgh Rugby at Musgrave Park (7.45pm).
Nine players who started against Cardiff in the last trip to Cork are either injured or involved with Ireland while three more – Mike Sherry, Dave Foley and Tommy O’Donnell, are named on the bench. There’s a first start of the season for Danny Barnes and Ivan Dineen while JJ Hanrahan, Johne Murphy and Ian Nagle all get their second start of the year.
CJ Stander returns to the side after breaking a bone in his hand in the game against Glasgow back on December 1st though he has featured in recent British & Irish cup games and did come on as a replacement here in January against the Blues. He’s picked at blindside in a back row along with Sean Dougall and James Coughlan who will captain the side.
Munster: D Hurley; J Murphy, I Dineen, JJ Hanrahan, D Barnes; I Keatley, D Williams; M Horan, D Varley, BJ Botha; I Nagle, B Holland; CJ Stander, S Dougall, J Coughlan capt. Replacements: M Sherry, W du Preez, J Ryan, D Foley, T O’Donnell, P Butler, C Sheridan, S Deasy.
