Munster Select Much-Changed Side For Cheetahs Clash
The Munster team to face Conference A rivals, the Toyota Cheetahs, in Bloemfontein on Friday (kick-off 7.35pm local time/6.35pm Irish time) has been named by head coach Johann van Graan.
There are nine changes to the side that defeated the Southern Kings 39-22 in George last Saturday night with the team travelling to Bloemfontein today. Simon Zebo, Andrew Conway, Sam Arnold, Darren Sweetnam, Brian Scott, Billy Holland, Peter O’Mahony, Jack O’Donoghue and Robin Copeland all come into the starting XV.
Zebo starts at full-back with Conway and Sweetnam on either flank as Arnold joins Dan Goggin, who scored his first senior try for Munster last weekend, in the centre. JJ Hanrahan moves from full-back to out-half for the round 20 fixture, with James Hart continuing at scrum half.
Versatile prop Scott makes his second start of the season, his first at loosehead, as Niall Scannell and John Ryan retain their places in the front row with Ryan set to make his 120th appearance for the province.
Holland returns to partner Gerbrandt Grobler in the engine room, and it is all change in the back row as captain O’Mahony, O’Donoghue and Copeland are all back in the starting pack.
Rhys Marshall, Dave Kilcoyne and Stephen Archer provide the front row cover with Dave O’Callaghan and Conor Oliver completing the forward replacements. while Conor Murray, Ian Keatley and Rory Scannell are the reserve backs this week.
MUNSTER (v Toyota Cheetahs): Simon Zebo; Andrew Conway, Sam Arnold, Dan Goggin, Darren Sweetnam; JJ Hanrahan, James Hart; Brian Scott, Niall Scannell, John Ryan, Gerbrandt Grobler, Billy Holland, Peter O’Mahony (capt), Jack O’Donoghue, Robin Copeland.
Replacements: Rhys Marshall, Dave Kilcoyne, Stephen Archer, Dave O’Callaghan, Conor Oliver, Conor Murray, Ian Keatley, Rory Scannell.