Copeland On Captaincy Duty For Munster ‘A’

Munster ‘A’ head coach Peter Malone has made three changes to the team that defeated Rotherham Titans in Ennis and selected Robin Copeland as captain for Saturday’s British & Irish Cup clash away to Doncaster Knights at Castle Park (kick-off 2.30pm).

Kevin O’Byrne starts at hooker with the Academy’s Fineen Wycherley and Cork Constitution’s Evan Mintern, who moves from the back row, forming a new second row partnership. Wycherley makes his first appearance in the competition.

Another Cork Con  representative, scrum half John Poland, is the final personnel change to the starting line-up with Te Aihe Toma making the switch to out-half.

Having featured for a Munster Development XV against the Ireland Under-20s over the festive period, Shannon’s Ronan Coffey and Garryowen’s Bailey Faloon are included in a B&I Cup squad for the first time.

MUNSTER ‘A’ (v Doncaster Knights): David Johnston; Calvin Nash, Sam Arnold, Dan Goggin, Greg O’Shea; Te Aihe Toma, John Poland; Peter McCabe, Kevin O’Byrne, Brian Scott, Fineen Wycherley, Evan Mintern, Dave O’Callaghan, Gavin Coombes, Robin Copeland (capt).

Replacements: Vincent O’Brien, Liam O’Connor, Rory Burke, Ronan Coffey, Bailey Faloon, Cian Bohane, Stephen Fitzgerald.