Neil Cronin And Shane Daly To Start For Munster Against Cheetahs
Munster head coach Johann van Graan has named his starting line-up to face the Toyota Cheetahs in the first round of the GUINNESS PRO14 at Thomond Park on Saturday (kick-off 5.15pm).
New signings Arno Botha, Mike Haley and Neil Cronin will make their GUINNESS PRO14 starting debuts, while Ireland international Joey Carbery, who has made a well-publicised summer move from Leinster, is set to make his debut in red if sprung off the bench.
Munster Academy member and Ireland Sevens international Shane Daly is another player making his debut as he joins Haley and Darren Sweetnam in a new-look back-three. The pre-season centre combination of Dan Goggin and Rory Scannell remain unchanged for the Championship opener.
Neil Cronin, who last featured in the competition as a replacement in March 2015, partners up with JJ Hanrahan at half-back. Scrum half Cronin (25) is a younger brother of Leinster and Ireland hooker Sean and captained Garryowen to the Munster Senior Cup title and an Ulster Bank League play-off place last season.
In the front row, returning Ireland prop John Ryan makes his first appearance of the 2018/19 campaign as he scrums down next to Mike Sherry and Dave Kilcoyne. Captain Billy Holland and Jean Kleyn join forces again in the second row, with Dave O’Callaghan, Tommy O’Donnell and South African newcomer Botha forming the back row.
Included in the replacements are Rhys Marshall and Stephen Archer who are in line to make first appearances of the season, with Archer overcoming the pec injury he sustained against Edinburgh in May. After impressing in the pre-season run, Academy back rower Gavin Coombes is included in his first PRO14 squad.
Buy Munster v Toyota Cheetahs tickets online here, from the Munster Rugby Ticket Offices in Irish Independent Park and Thomond Park, or by calling 061 421103. Tickets available from €;20 for adults, €;7 * for juniors/students and €;40 for families (two adults and two juniors).
* Junior tickets can only be purchased with an adult ticket. Student tickets can only be purchased in person at our ticket offices. You will need a valid student ID card at time of purchase to enter the ground on match day.
MUNSTER (v Toyota Cheetahs): Mike Haley; Darren Sweetnam, Dan Goggin, Rory Scannell, Shane Daly; JJ Hanrahan, Neil Cronin; Dave Kilcoyne, Mike Sherry, John Ryan, Jean Kleyn, Billy Holland (capt), Dave O’Callaghan, Tommy O’Donnell, Arno Botha.
Replacements: Rhys Marshall, Brian Scott, Stephen Archer, Darren O’Shea, Gavin Coombes, James Hart, Joey Carbery, Sam Arnold.