Flanker O’Mahony To Captain Munster ‘A’ Team

Gerhard van den Heever will make his first Munster ‘A’ appearance on the left wing as part of an experienced back-line with Denis Hurley and Ivan Dineen in the centre, Andrew Conway on the right wing and the competition’s second highest try scorer this season, Ronan O’Mahony, at full-back.

Academy out-half Johnny Holland maintains his starting place with fellow Cork Constitution clubman Gerry Hurley at scrum half.

Munster ‘A’ head coach Peter Malone has gone with Alan Cotter, Young Munster’s Ger Slattery and John Ryan in the front row.

Club player Slattery recently made his RaboDirect PRO12 bow as a replacement against Connacht after Munster’s recent injury issues at hooker.

The experienced Ian Nagle is joined in the second row by Academy player Darren O’Shea who starts his first Munster ‘A’ game since the season opener against Connacht Eagles.

David O’Callaghan, who has started every British & Irish Cup match this season, captain Barry O’Mahony and Paddy Butler are named in the back row with Butler appearing in his first Munster ‘A’ side this season.

Malone has named a strong replacements bench with Cian Bohane, Academy players Shane Buckley, Jack O’Donoghue, Brian Haugh and Rory Scannell, Cork Con’s Max Abbott and Dolphin’s Brian Scott all capable of making an impact.

When the sides met earlier in the season, out-half Holland was the late match winner for Munster ‘A’ as he converted Rory Scannell’s last-minute try to beat Nottingham 17-16 at Meadow Lane.

Munster A lie second in Pool 4 and trail leaders Plymouth Albion on points difference with both sides on three wins apiece.

Gates open at 6pm and Ticketmaster will be selling tickets from 4pm at St. Mary’s RFC in Corbally, Limerick. Adult tickets can be purchased online here.

Admission: Munster Rugby Supporters Club members free of charge (on production of membership card), 10-Year Ticket holders free of charge (on production of 10-Year Ticket) and Munster Rugby Season Ticket holders – €;5 (on production of Season Ticket).

Pricing: €;10 adult, €;3 junior, €;20 family pack (two adults and two juniors). Junior – 16 or under.

MUNSTER ‘A’ (v Nottingham): Ronan O’Mahony; Andrew Conway, Ivan Dineen, Denis Hurley, Gerhard van den Heever; Johnny Holland, Gerry Hurley; Alan Cotter, Ger Slattery, John Ryan, Ian Nagle, Darren O’Shea, David O’Callaghan, Barry O’Mahony (capt), Paddy Butler.

Replacements: Max Abbott, Brian Scott, Shane Buckley, Jack O’Donoghue, Brian Haugh, Rory Scannell, Cian Bohane.