MUNSTER’s Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus has named his match-day 23 for Munster’s Champions Cup semi-final against Saracens at the Aviva on Saturday, 3.15pm.
CJ Stander has overcome the ankle injury sustained against Toulouse in the quarter-final stage to be named in the starting XV.
The front five sees Dave Kilcoyne, Niall Scannell and John Ryan scrum down in the front row while the squad’s most capped duo of Donnacha Ryan and Billy Holland continue their second row partnership.
With late changes to the side last weekend the half back pairing of Duncan Williams and Tyler Bleyendaal return to start for Saturday’s encounter.
Centre Jaco Taute also makes a return as he resumes his European midfield partnership with Rory Scannell who has been deemed fit to play after a knock to his ankle last weekend.
The final change comes by way of winger Andrew Conway who joins Keith Earls and Simon Zebo in the back three.
Named in the replacements is Jean Deysel who will make his Champions Cup debut if sprung from the bench. There is no room in the match day squad for Irish international Jack O’Donoghue, while Ian Keatley will serve as back up 9.
Munster: Simon Zebo; Andrew Conway, Jaco Taute, Rory Scannell, Keith Earls; Tyler Bleyendaal, Duncan Williams; Dave Kilcoyne, Niall Scannell, John Ryan; Donnacha Ryan, Billy Holland; Peter O’Mahony (Capt.), Tommy O’Donnell, CJ Stander.
Replacements: Rhys Marshall, James Cronin, Stephen Archer, Dave O’Callaghan, Jean Deysel, Ian Keatley, Francis Saili, Darren Sweetnam.
