Van Den Heever To Make Home Debut For Munster
Gerhard van den Heever will make his home debut and Duncan Casey will start his first competitive game for Munster against the Scarlets at Musgrave Park on Saturday night (kick-off 7.15pm).
The pair come into the side as head coach Rob Penney makes 12 changes to the team that beat Perpignan in France last weekend.
Three of the players involved in the winning try at the Stade Aime Giral – Denis Hurley, Tommy O’Donnell and JJ Hanrahan – all come into the starting line-up with Billy Holland returning as captain.
Casey Laulala maintains his presence in the centre with Ivan Dineen coming into the side to partner the former New Zealand international.
Andrew Conway will make his fifth start for the province on the left wing after recovering from a blow to the knee sustained against the Cardiff Blues.
South African Gerhard van den Heever takes his place on the opposite wing for his second start since signing from Western Province, with Denis Hurley at full-back.
Cathal Sheridan retains his place at scrum half after impressing last weekend with match winner Hanrahan at out-half.
BJ Botha is the only survivor from last weekend’s front-row with David Kilcoyne and hooker Duncan Casey coming into the side.
It will be Casey’s first start and it will also be the Corkman’s first PRO12 appearance following his debut off the bench against Perpignan at Thomond Park two weeks ago.
Stand-in captain Holland is joined in the second row by Ian Nagle with both players coming into the side after starting together for Munster ‘A’ last weekend.
Penney has gone for an exciting back row combination with David O’Callaghan, O’Donnell and CJ Stander all named in the starting line-up.
Cork Constitution out-half Johnny Holland is among the replacements and will be hoping to earn his second Munster cap in front of the home crowd after his appearance off the bench against Cardiff.
Another notable name on the bench is that of development prop Alan Cotter who makes his first appearance in the matchday 23 and could make his debut.
Tickets can be purchased online here and can also be purchased from the Munster Rugby ticket offices in Thomond Park and Musgrave Park today until 5pm.
Tickets will be available on Saturday from 9am to kick-off from the Dolphin entrance in Musgrave Park and from the Sunday’s Well turnstiles from 5.45pm.
MUNSTER (v Scarlets): Denis Hurley; Gerhard van den Heever, Casey Laulala, Ivan Dineen, Andrew Conway; JJ Hanrahan, Cathal Sheridan; David Kilcoyne, Duncan Casey, BJ Botha, Ian Nagle, Billy Holland (capt), David O’Callaghan, Tommy O’Donnell, CJ Stander.
Replacements: Damien Varley, Alan Cotter, John Ryan, Donncha O’Callaghan, Barry O’Mahony, Duncan Williams, Johnny Holland, Ronan O’Mahony.