WITH the Munster senior side’s game against Stade Francais postponed this weekend, Munster A continue their British & Irish Cup campaign when they welcome Yorkshire Carnegie to Kinsale RFC tomorrow evening – KO 8pm. In naming his side, Head Coach Mick O’Driscoll makes five changes to the side that narrowly lost to London Scottish in Round 1.
Munster academy member Rory Scannell takes over the captaincy duty from his brother Niall while Argentinian international Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino will make his first appearance for Munster ‘A’ having made his debut for the province senior side as a second half replacement in last weekend’s Champions Cup win over Treviso.
The only two changes to the pack are in the front row with John Ryan and Kevin O’Byrne coming in to joinMario Sagario. Billy Holland and academy lock Sean McCarthy continue in the second row as does the back-row trio of Jordan Coghlan, Sean Doyle and Shane Buckley.
Cathal Sheridan and captain Scannell form a new pairing in the half backs with Cian Bohane and Matt D’Arcy again in charge of the midfield.
Gonzalez Amorosino starts on the right wing with Ronan O’Mahony and David Johnston continuing on the left wing and full-back respectively.
Cashel RFC’s Sean O’Connor is again named amongst the replacements, while Irish Club international and Old Belvedere hooker Eddie Rossiter is named in his first Munster A side.
Munster A: David Johnston; Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino, Matt D’Arcy, Cian Bohane, Ronan O’Mahony; Rory Scannell – capt., Cathal Sheridan; John Ryan, Kevin O’Byrne, Mario Sagario; Sean McCarthy, Billy Holland; Jordan Coghlan, Sean Doyle, Shane Buckley.
Replacements: Eddie Rossiter, Liam O’Connor, Sean O’Connor, Conor Oliver, Duncan Williams, Bill Johnston, Darren Sweetnam.
In Yorkshire Carnegie team news, Yorkshire Carnegie Head Coach Bryan Redpath will give young prop Charlie Capps and former rugby league star Kevin Sinfield their first starts for the club.
Both appeared off the bench in last week’s win over Ospreys Premiership Select at Headingley Carnegie but will now start against the Irish province.
They are two of four changes to the side which are split between the forwards and backs. Sinfield replaces Joel Hodgson in the ten shirt whilst Dan Tai comes in for Jonah Holmes to play on the wing, with Taylor Prell reverting to full back.
Jack Barnard replaces Josh Bainbridge at flanker with Chris Walker on the bench as he comes back from a cheek injury.
Finally, Charlie Capps replaces Charlie Beech at loose head prop.
On the bench, only hooker Jordan Poole remains from last week. Scotland U20 international prop Callum Sheldon will make his debut after impressing playing for Leeds Beckett University. Dan Preston-Routledge, Sam Allan and Max Green, who have come through the club’s academy system are also included.
The squad in full is:
15. Taylor Prell
14. David Doherty
13. Max Wright
12. Pete Lucock
11. Dan Tai
10. Kevin Sinfield
9. Chris Pilgrim (c)
1. Charlie Capps
2. Joe Graham
3. Ben Hooper
4. Dean Schofield
5. Matt Smith
6. Richard Beck
7. Jack Barnard
8. Jarad Williams
16. Jordan Poole
17. Lee Imiolek
18. Callum Sheldon
19. Dan Preston-Routledge
20. Chris Walker
21. Max Green
22. Sam Allan
For more on tickets, parking and access to the ground, see www.munsterrugby.ie
