Munster travel to the Welsh capital to face Cardiff Blues knowing that a victory could lift them back into contention for a coveted GUINNESS PRO12 play-off spot or at the very least aid their challenge for Champions Cup qualification.
GUINNESS PRO12: Friday, March 18
CARDIFF BLUES (9th) v MUNSTER (5th), BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park, 7.15pm
Team News: Munster head coach Anthony Foley has made five changes to the team that defeated the Dragons for tonight’s GUINNESS PRO12 clash with Cardiff Blues.
James Cronin and Mike Sherry both return to the starting line-up and join John Ryan in the front row, with Dave Foley resuming his partnership in the second row with Billy Holland who again captains the province.
The return of Robin Copeland at number 8 sees Jack O’Donoghue switch to blindside flanker and Dave O’Callaghan move to openside.
In the final change, winger Ronan O’Mahony has successfully overcome a hamstring complaint to rejoin the back-three. Darren Sweetnam remains on the opposite flank as does Andrew Conway at full-back.
Duncan Williams and Ian Keatley again take charge at half-back with in-form centres Rory Scannell and Francis Saili continuing in midfield.
Should he feature off the bench, Academy second row Sean McCarthy (pictured below) will make his PRO12 debut. A native of Currow in Co. Kerry, McCarthy has made 12 appearances for Munster ‘A’ in the British & Irish Cup and started every match of this season’s campaign.
Please note that tonight’s rearranged PRO12 game between Cardiff and Munster will not be televised. For live updates follow @munsterrugby #CarvMun on Twitter.
Meanwhile, USA international Cam Dolan will start in the second row for Cardiff Blues and is one of six changes to the side that lost 27-20 to Glasgow Warriors last time out.
Blues boss Danny Wilson makes four changes up front with Dolan notably paired with Josh Turnbull at lock. Macauley Cook is named at blindside flanker, Josh Navidi will start at number 8 and prop Brad Thyer is called up to pack down alongside skipper Matthew Rees and Salesi Ma’afu in the front row.
A rejigged back-line will see Garyn Smith start at outside centre alongside Samoa international Rey Lee-Lo. Wales international Lloyd Williams plays at half-back with Rhys Patchell, with Aled Summerhill moving to the right wing and Dan Fish into the full-back role.
Hooker Kristian Dacey, lock Lou Reed and centre Gavin Evans are named among the replacements, while prop Thomas Davies will make his 50th appearance for the Welsh region if he comes off the bench. James Down (concussion) and Cory Allen (ankle) are unavailable for selection.
CARDIFF BLUES: Dan Fish; Aled Summerhill, Garyn Smith, Rey Lee-Lo, Blaine Scully; Rhys Patchell, Lloyd Williams; Brad Thyer, Matthew Rees (capt), Salesi Ma’afu, Cam Dolan, Josh Turnbull, Macauley Cook, Ellis Jenkins, Josh Navidi.
Replacements: Kristian Dacey, Thomas Davies, Taufa’ao Filise, Lou Reed, Manoa Vosawai, Lewis Jones, Jarrod Evans, Gavin Evans.
MUNSTER: Andrew Conway; Darren Sweetnam, Francis Saili, Rory Scannell, Ronan O’Mahony; Ian Keatley, Duncan Williams; James Cronin, Mike Sherry, John Ryan, Dave Foley, Billy Holland (capt), Jack O’Donoghue, Dave O’Callaghan, Robin Copeland.
Replacements: Niall Scannell, Dave Kilcoyne, Stephen Archer, Sean McCarthy, Jordan Coghlan, Cathal Sheridan, Johnny Holland, David Johnston.
Referee: David Wilkinson (Ireland)
Assistant Referees: Ian Davies, Gwyn Morris (both Wales)
Match Odds (Paddy Power): Cardiff Blues to win: 11/10; Draw: 17/1; Munster to win: 8/11
Pre-Match Quotes: Rory Scannell (Munster) – “Cardiff have some very dangerous players and have had some big wins at home this season. They beat Ulster recently and were very unlucky against Glasgow and Leinster and are a team that don’t lie down after 60 minutes.
“They play right to the end and got a few late tries against Glasgow. They also have aome of the best counter-attacking stats in the league and will be a constant threat all game.
“There are some lads who have a weight advantage on me (in the centre). Cardiff are no different. Rey Lee-Lo is quite a big strong ball carrier with great feet. But we have lads like that as well, the likes of Frankie (Saili).
“We will look to take it to them in midfield and look to use a bit more of our pace. I’ve gotten a lot of game-time there in the past few weeks. It is about getting a run of games, getting comfortable, getting a bit of confidence and I have managed to rack up some good game-time.
“We are four points off Ulster (in the table) now, so we really need to use this game in hand to get a win over there and stay in touch with the teams above us because we have to play three of the four of them yet.”
Danny Wilson (Cardiff Blues) – “We’ve had a good week of preparation and it’s important we look to pick up from where we finished our last fixture with champions Glasgow Warriors.
“We were disappointed by the result in Scotland, but we showed in the second half the kind of rugby we can produce to claim a bonus point. Now it’s about playing with accuracy and confidence from the start and there has been a real edge to the way we have trained.
“We know the size of the challenge; Munster Rugby are well coached and have huge depth in terms of playing resources. They will have players away on international duty, but are still a very dangerous and talented side.
“Munster have been one of the best sides in the GUINNESS PRO12 and Europe over a number of years so it’s a big test.”
Top Scorers – 2015/16 GUINNESS PRO12: Cardiff Blues – Points: Rhys Patchell 150; Tries: Josh Navidi, Tom James, Josh Turnbull, Rhys Patchell, Aled Summerhill, Dan Fish 4 each; Munster – Points: Ian Keatley 116; Tries: Dave Kilcoyne 4
RECENT LEAGUE MEETINGS:
Saturday, January 5, 2013 – Munster 6 Cardiff Blues 17, Musgrave Park
Saturday, November 23, 2013 – Cardiff Blues 10 Munster 31, Cardiff Arms Park
Saturday, February 8, 2014 – Munster 54 Cardiff Blues 13, Thomond Park
Saturday, November 1, 2014 – Cardiff Blues 24 Munster 28, BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park
Saturday, February 14, 2015 – Munster 33 Cardiff Blues 16, Irish Independent Park
Saturday, October 17, 2015 – Munster 35 Cardiff Blues 27, Irish Independent Park
MATCH FACTS:
– Cardiff Blues’ only victory in their last four GUINNESS PRO12 fixtures was 23-13 at home to Ulster in round 16
– The Blues have lost just once at BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park since November: 14-13 to Leinster on February 20
– Munster have won their last two PRO12 matches in Treviso and at home to the Newport Gwent Dragons and away from home in the competition have been defeated just once since the turn of the New Year: 27-24 to Glasgow in Kilmarnock on February 19
– Cardiff Blues’ only triumph in their last eleven encounters against Munster was 17-6 in Cork in January 2013
– The Munstermen have not been defeated at Cardiff Arms Park since their visit in the PRO12 in May 2009
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