Munster Boosted By Returning Internationals
A number of Ireland internationals will be back on duty for Munster when they entertain Glasgow Warriors in Saturday’s RaboDirect PRO12 clash at Thomond Park (kick-off 7.45pm).
Ireland internationals Keith Earls, Simon Zebo, Ronan O’Gara, Donncha O’Callaghan and Donnacha Ryan all return to the Munster starting line-up, along with the province’s latest Test-capped player, prop David Kilcoyne.
Just as importantly, number 8 James Coughlan returns to the fray a week ahead of the Heineken Cup round 3 showndown with Saracens following a lengthy lay-off.
South African newcomer CJ Stander will make his first start in the back row, following his debut off the bench in last Sunday’s defeat to the Scarlets in Cork.
Munster, who lie in fifth place in the league, can ill-afford to lose to Glasgow as they look to maintain their push for a play-off berth.
Earls returns to partner James Downey in the centre with Zebo replacing Luke O’Dea on the left wing and O’Gara taking over from Ian Keatley at out-half.
Hooker Mike Sherry is the only survivor in the forwards as head coach Rob Penney makes changes in all three lines.
The fit-again Coughlan and Tommy O’Donnell link up with Stander in the back row, O’Callaghan and Ryan form the second row combination and Kilcoyne and BJ Botha will flank Sherry in the front row.
MUNSTER (v Glasgow Warriors): Felix Jones; Doug Howlett (capt), Keith Earls, James Downey, Simon Zebo; Ronan O’Gara, Duncan Williams; David Kilcoyne, Mike Sherry, BJ Botha, Donncha O’Callaghan, Donnacha Ryan, CJ Stander, Tommy O’Donnell, James Coughlan.
Replacements: Damien Varley, Wian du Preez, Stephen Archer, Billy Holland, Paddy Butler, Peter Stringer, Ian Keatley, Casey Laulala.