Nash Gets The Nod For Munster’s Showdown With Scarlets

There are six changes to the side beaten 12-6 by Edinburgh last weekend as Academy player Calvin Nash, Ian Keatley, Dave Kilcoyne, Rhys Marshall, John Ryan and Tommy O’Donnell all come into the starting XV.

JJ Hanrahan moves to full-back with Nash and Alex Wootton, who has recovered from a hip flexor injury, on either wing. Rory Scannell and Sam Arnold continue their centre partnership with James Hart joined in the half-backs by Ireland international Keatley.

Head coach Johann van Graan has made four changes to the pack, with a completely new front row of Kilcoyne, Marshall and Ryan getting the nod. Captain Billy Holland and Jean Kleyn keep their places in the second row, while Tipperary man O’Donnell joins Jack O’Donoghue and Robin Copeland in the back row.

Niall Scannell, who returns from a rib injury, James Cronin and Stephen Archer make up the front row cover with Gerbrandt Grobler and Dave O’Callaghan completing the forward replacements. Second row Jean Kleyn is following the return-to-play protocols after sustaining a concussion.

Stephen Fitzgerald and Dan Goggin provide the back-line reinforcements along with Academy scrum half Jack Stafford, who is set to make his home debut in the GUINNESS PRO14 having featured off the bench against Zebre earlier this season.

Meanwhile, Grand Slam winner Keith Earls is ‘probably out for a long time’, according to van Graan, after suffering a knee injury against England last Saturday. Confirmation of the full extent of the injury will come through following results of a scan. Simon Zebo is nursing a hamstring injury.

In a further setback for Munster ahead of next week’s Champions Cup quarter-final against Toulon, half-backs Tyler Bleyendaal and Duncan Williams have both been ruled out for the remainder of the season. Bleyendaal required surgery in a bid to rectify ongoing symptoms with his neck, while Williams underwent surgery after sustaining facial injuries during a training session last week.

Munster v Scarlets tickets are available online here, from the Munster Rugby Ticket Offices at Thomond Park and Irish Independent Park, or by calling 061 421103. Tickets from just €;7 (student & junior) with family packs (two adults and two children) are available for just €;40.

MUNSTER (v Scarlets): JJ Hanrahan; Calvin Nash, Sam Arnold, Rory Scannell, Alex Wootton; Ian Keatley, James Hart; Dave Kilcoyne, Rhys Marshall, John Ryan, Jean Kleyn, Billy Holland (capt), Jack O’Donoghue, Tommy O’Donnell, Robin Copeland.

Replacements: Niall Scannell, James Cronin, Stephen Archer, Gerbrandt Grobler, Dave O’Callaghan, Jack Stafford, Stephen Fitzgerald, Dan Goggin.