KEITH Earls has been named at outside centre for Sunday’s Champions Cup clash with Sale. The 13, who was named in Joe Schmidt’s Ireland squad yesterday, takes over from Pat Howard as one of two changes to the side beaten by Saracens in round 5.
The other changes see Ronan O’Mahony start on the wing, as Simon Zebo moves to 15. Felix Jones misses out this week, with a bruised knee, while in the backrow Dave O’Callaghan comes in at 6 with Tommy O’Donnell remaining at 7 and Peter O’Mahony moves to 8 for the first time this season, due to CJ Stander’s absence. The clash with Sale kicks off at 3.15pm and is live on SkySports TV.
Munster: Simon Zebo; Andrew Conway, Keith Earls, Denis Hurley, Ronan O’Mahony; Ian Keatley, Duncan Williams; James Cronin, Duncan Casey, BJ Botha; Dave Foley, Paul O’Connell; Dave O’Callaghan, Tommy O’Donnell, Peter O’Mahony – capt.
Replacements: Eusebio Guinazu, John Ryan, Stephen Archer, Billy Holland, Robin Copeland, Ivan Dineen, JJ Hanrahan, Pat Howard.
Munster ‘A’ Head Coach Mick O’Driscoll has named his side to face Doncaster Knights in the quarter final of the British & Cup at Castle Park on Saturday, ko 2pm.
Cork Constitution duo Liam O’Connor and Ger Sweeney join hooker Niall Scannell in the front row at loosehead and tighthead respectively, while Munster’s most capped player Donncha O’Callaghan will bring a wealth of experience to the side when he partners Shannon’s Lee Nicholas in the second row.
Shane Buckley is named at blindside this weekend with Sean Dougall at 7, while Academy back-rower Jack O’Donoghue continues to captain the side from number 8.
Garryowen clubman Neil Cronin, who made his PRO12 debut against Leinster in December, starts again at scrum half with the remainder of the backline comprising of up and coming academy talent.
Munster ‘A’s highest points scorer in the competition Rory Scannell continues at 10 while Gearoid Lyons and David Johnston take charge of the midfield, with Greg O’Shea, Darren Sweetnam and Stephen Fitzgerald making up the back three.
Earlier this week O’Shea, Fitzgerald and Jack Cullen (bench) were all named in the Ireland U20 squad for the upcoming 6 Nations.
The bench also sees the inclusion of four new club representatives to the current campaign – Peter McCabe (Dolphin), Declan Lavery (Old Belvedere), Ben Kilkenny (Young Munster) and Frank Bradshaw Ryan (Shannon).
Munster A: Stephen Fitzgerald; Darren Sweetnam, David Johnston, Gearoid Lyons, Greg O’Shea; Rory Scannell, Neil Cronin; Liam O’Connor, Niall Scannell, Ger Sweeney; Donncha O’Callaghan, Lee Nicholas; Shane Buckley, Sean Dougall, Jack O’Donoghue Capt.
Replacements: Kevin O’Byrne, Peter McCabe, Declan Lavery, Frank Bradshaw Ryan, Ben Kilkenny, Jack Cullen, Dan Goggin.
B&I Cup Quarter Final: Doncaster Knights v Munster A, Saturday January 24th at Castle Park, ko 2pm.
