Munster Make Ten Changes For Treviso Trip
Director of rugby Rassie Erasmus has made ten changes for Munster’s return to GUINNESS PRO12 action as the province take on Benetton Treviso at Stadio di Monigo on Saturday in the penultimate round of the Championship (kick-off 7.05pm local time/6.05pm Irish time).
Six players from the British & Irish Cup-winning Munster ‘A’ squad are introduced to the side with Darren O’Shea and Conor Oliver in the starting XV and Kevin O’Byrne, Brian Scott, Rory Burke and Alex Wootton named on the bench. It is the first time Academy prop Burke has been included in a PRO12 matchday squad.
There is an all-new front row as James Cronin, Rhys Marshall and Stephen Archer combine as the starting trio, while lock O’Shea links up with Billy Holland in the second row.
Holland is the only player to retain his place in the pack and captains the province for the ninth time this season. Dave O’Callaghan, Oliver and Jack O’Donoghue make up the back row for Saturday’s game which will be shown live on the TG4 website/TG4 Player.
The three changes in the back-line see Ronan O’Mahony, this season’s leading try scorer, and Darren Sweetnam cover the wings and Francis Saili joins Jaco Taute. It is as you were in the half-backs with Duncan Williams and Tyler Bleyendaal pairing up again.
MUNSTER (v Benetton Treviso): Simon Zebo; Darren Sweetnam, Francis Saili, Jaco Taute, Ronan O’Mahony; Tyler Bleyendaal, Duncan Williams; James Cronin, Rhys Marshall, Stephen Archer, Darren O’Shea, Billy Holland (capt), Dave O’Callaghan, Conor Oliver, Jack O’Donoghue.
Replacements: Kevin O’Byrne, Brian Scott, Rory Burke, Donnacha Ryan, CJ Stander, Angus Lloyd, Ian Keatley, Alex Wootton.