Horan Included In Munster Line-Up
Ireland internationals Marcus Horan and Donnacha Ryan are set to make their first appearances of the new campaign as Munster take on Leicester Tigers at Welford Road on Friday evening (kick-off 7.30 pm).
For Munster’s final pre-season friendly, coach Tony McGahan has made eleven changes – three positional – to the team that secured a 31-23 victory over London Irish last week.
The positional changes see Paul Warwick switching from centre to out-half, Denis Hurley moves full-back to the left wing and Billy Holland will revert to the blindside flanker position.
Marcus Horan comes in to add his vast experience to a front row that includes Denis Fogarty, a replacement from last weekend’s game, while there is a first start also for French international prop Julien Brugnaut.
Mick O’Driscoll will lead the side from the second row alongside the returning Donnacha Ryan, one of the Ireland ‘A’ Churchill Cup heroes.
Scott Deasy, the Academy player who has impressed in the two games to date, teams up with Tom Gleeson in midfield.
Ireland Under-20 international Danny Barnes, the scorer of two tries last weekend against London Irish, retains the number 14 jersey and Felix Jones gets his first start after a brief cameo against the Exiles.
Leicester Tigers, with seven summer signings, will be looking for a third successive pre-season victory after overcoming Nottingham and Cardiff Blues in recent weeks..
MUNSTER (v Leicester Tigers) – Felix Jones, Danny Barnes, Scott Deasy, Tom Gleeson, Denis Hurley, Paul Warwick, Peter Stringer, Marcus Horan, Denis Fogarty, Julien Brugnaut, Mick O’Driscoll (capt), Donnacha Ryan, Billy Holland, Niall Ronan, Denis Leamy.
Replacements: Damien Varley, Ian Nagle, Tommy O’Donnell, Toby Morland, Jeremy Manning, Dave Ryan, James Coughlan, Danny Riordan.