Smith And Hanrahan Take Centre Stage For Munster
Munster head coach Anthony Foley has named his team to take on Clermont Auvergne in round 4 of the European Champions Cup at the Stade Marcel Michelin on Sunday (kick-off 4.15pm local time/3.15pm Irish time).
After suffering a first home defeat to the French outfit last Saturday, Anthony Foley has made four changes to the starting line-up for the return fixture.
In the pack, loosehead prop John Ryan (pictured below) is the only change as he comes in for the injured Dave Kilcoyne and James Cronin to make his first start in Europe.
Meanwhile, in the back-line, there is a new centre partnership with JJ Hanrahan starting in the number 12 jersey and the returning Andrew Smith named outside him.
With injury ruling out Gerhard van den Heever, Andrew Conway returns to take his position on the right wing.
MUNSTER (v Clermont Auvergne): Felix Jones; Andrew Conway, Andrew Smith, JJ Hanrahan, Simon Zebo; Ian Keatley, Conor Murray; John Ryan, Duncan Casey, BJ Botha, Dave Foley, Paul O’Connell, Peter O’Mahony (capt), Tommy O’Donnell, CJ Stander.
Replacements: Kevin O’Byrne, Eusebio Guinazu, Stephen Archer, Billy Holland, Robin Copeland, Duncan Williams, Denis Hurley, Johne Murphy.