Earls And Niall Scannell Return To Munster Team
The Munster team to face Ulster in their first interprovincial derby of the season at Thomond Park on Saturday (kick-off 7.35pm) has been named by head coach Johann van Graan.
There are eight changes to the side beaten in Cardiff last Friday night, with New Zealand-capped scrum half Alby Mathewson making his Munster debut and returning Ireland internationals Keith Earls and Niall Scannell set for their seasonal bows.
Having obtained a work permit in the standard timelines, Mathewson wins his first provincial cap alongside Joey Carbery at half-back. Mike Haley, Dan Goggin, Dave Kilcoyne, Billy Holland and Tommy O’Donnell also come into the starting XV.
Haley starts at full-back with Andrew Conway and Earls on the flanks, while Rory Scannell partners Goggin in midfield. Kilcoyne, Niall Scannell and Stephen Archer make up the front row with Holland returning from injury to link up with recent debutant Tadhg Beirne in the second row.
Captain Peter O’Mahony, O’Donnell and CJ Stander fill the back row berths and complete the starting line-up. Meanwhile, on the bench, hooker Kevin O’Byrne and prop Ciaran Parker are both in line for their first GUINNESS PRO14 action of the season. O’Byrne is returning from a calf injury.
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MUNSTER (v Ulster): Mike Haley; Andrew Conway, Dan Goggin, Rory Scannell, Keith Earls; Joey Carbery, Alby Mathewson; Dave Kilcoyne, Niall Scannell, Stephen Archer, Tadhg Beirne, Billy Holland, Peter O’Mahony (capt), Tommy O’Donnell, CJ Stander.
Replacements: Kevin O’Byrne, James Cronin, Ciaran Parker, Jean Kleyn, Arno Botha, Duncan Williams, Ian Keatley, Sam Arnold.