Varley To Lead Munster Against London Irish

Hooker Damien Varley will captain Munster for Friday’s SEAT Series pre-season match against London Irish at Musgrave Park (kick-off 7pm).

The two changes to the back-line see Ronan O’Mahony starting in the place of Andrew Conway, who is rested, and Cathal Sheridan comes in at scrum half in the place of Duncan Williams who drops to the bench.

In the front row there is a positional change for prop John Ryan, with hooker Damien Varley marking his return to action with the captaincy role. Fellow Ireland international Stephen Archer is also promoted from the bench.

David Foley and Ian Nagle, who came on for the second half against Gloucester, form the starting second row partnership with a new back row combination selected this week – David O’Callaghan, Sean Dougall and number 8 Paddy Butler.

Once again, head coach Rob Penney has opted for an extended bench which includes a mix of Munster’s leading lights such as BJ Botha, James Coughlan and Donncha O’Callaghan and Academy players Rory Scannell and Johnny Holland.

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MUNSTER (v London Irish): Denis Hurley; Ronan O’Mahony, Casey Laulala, Ivan Dineen, Johne Murphy; Ian Keatley, Cathal Sheridan; John Ryan, Damien Varley (capt), Stephen Archer; David Foley, Ian Nagle, David O’Callaghan, Sean Dougall, Paddy Butler.

Replacements: Mike Sherry, James Cronin, BJ Botha, Donncha O’Callaghan, Billy Holland, CJ Stander, Niall Ronan, James Coughlan, Duncan Williams, JJ Hanrahan, Rory Scannell, Johnny Holland, Cian Bohane.