Head coach Anthony Foley has named his first European matchday squad as Munster begin their inaugural European Champions Cup campaign away to Sale Sharks at the AJ Bell Stadium on Saturday (kick-off 1pm).
There are seven changes to the Munster team that defeated the Scarlets 17-6 in the GUINNESS PRO12 last weekend.
In the front row David Kilcoyne and Stephen Archer will start on either side of hooker Duncan Casey, who makes his first European start following five appearances off the bench in last season’s Heineken Cup.
David Foley resumes his second row partnership with Paul O’Connell as the Ireland captain returns to the matchday squad, while the back row of captain Peter O’Mahony, Tommy O’Donnell and CJ Stander remains unchanged.
Conor Murray and Ian Keatley pair up again at half-back, with inside centre Denis Hurley returning to partner Andrew Smith in the province’s midfield.
Winger Andrew Conway will make his first European appearance for the province, starting in a back-three that includes Simon Zebo and returning full-back Felix Jones.
While in the replacements, recent arrival Eusebio Guinazu and Robin Copeland are named in their first Munster European matchday squad.
MUNSTER (v Sale Sharks): Felix Jones; Andrew Conway, Andrew Smith, Denis Hurley, Simon Zebo; Ian Keatley, Conor Murray; David Kilcoyne, Duncan Casey, Stephen Archer, David Foley, Paul O’Connell, Peter O’Mahony (capt), Tommy O’Donnell, CJ Stander.
Replacements: Eusebio Guinazu, James Cronin, BJ Botha, Billy Holland, Robin Copeland, Duncan Williams, JJ Hanrahan, Gerhard van den Heever.
This website uses cookies.
Read More