Having fallen at the final hurdle last May, Munster will be doubly determined to make a strong start to this season’s GUINNESS PRO12 with Benetton Treviso providing the opposition in the first round.
GUINNESS PRO12: Saturday, September 5
MUNSTER v BENETTON TREVISO, Irish Independent Park, 7.45pm (live TG4)
Team News: Following impressive performances across the past ten weeks, both on the training field and in Munster’s pre-season friendlies, John Madigan, David Johnston and Shane Monahan will make their competitive debuts for the province, with New Zealander Tyler Bleyendaal another in line to do so after being named among the replacements.
Suffering no ill-effects from recent outings against Connacht and London Irish, hooker Mike Sherry makes a welcome return to PRO12 action for the first time since November 2013. He is joined in the front row by James Cronin and BJ Botha.
A contrast in milestones in the second row sees Academy member Madigan win his first Munster cap, partnering Dave Foley who wins his 50th cap since making his league debut against Connacht in April 2010.
CJ Stander will again captain the side from the back of the scrum at number 8, with Dave O’Callaghan and Jack O’Donoghue completing the pack at blindside and openside flanker respectively.
Duncan Williams and Ian Keatley form the half-back partnership while Rory Scannell is paired with his Academy colleague and debutant Johnston in the centre. Felix Jones makes his first provincial appearance of the season at full-back with new cap Monahan and Andrew Conway taking charge of the flanks.
Successful rehabilitation of a groin strain sustained against Grenoble in recent weeks allows Bleyendaal to take his place on the bench, while Cian Bohane is also included after rehabbing a knee injury that kept him sidelined for the past season.
Match tickets start from €;15 for adults with great value family packs for €;30 (2 adults & 2 kids). Tickets can be purchased online here, from the Munster Rugby Ticket Offices at Irish Independent Park and Thomond Park, or by calling 0818 719 300.
Meanwhile, with eight players selected for the Rugby World Cup – seven with the Italian squad and Filo Paulo with Samoa – there will be the opportunity for some youngsters and permit players to impress for Benetton Treviso in Cork.
There are eight new faces in the starting line-up selected by head coach Umberto Casellato, including former Highlanders, Hurricanes and Blues scrum half Chris Smylie who partners fellow New Zealander Sam Christie at half-back.
Tommaso Iannone returns in the centre for his first PRO12 run-out with Treviso in over two years, pairing up in midfield with Enrico Bacchin.
The Italians will field an all-new second row combination in South African Duncan Naude and Tom Palmer, the ex-England and Gloucester lock, while Dean Budd lines out in the back row with number 8 Braam Steyn and Robert Barbieri, who has rejoined Treviso from Leicester Tigers.
Loosehead prop Alberto de Marchi captains the visitors from the front row where he is joined by tighthead Rupert Harden – another former Gloucester forward – and permit player Roberto Santamaria at hooker.
MUNSTER: Felix Jones; Andrew Conway, David Johnston, Rory Scannell, Shane Monahan; Ian Keatley, Duncan Williams; James Cronin, Mike Sherry, BJ Botha, John Madigan, Dave Foley, Dave O’Callaghan, Jack O’Donoghue, CJ Stander (capt).
Replacements: Niall Scannell, John Ryan, Stephen Archer, Robin Copeland, Shane Buckley, Cathal Sheridan, Tyler Bleyendaal, Cian Bohane.
BENETTON TREVISO: Jayden Hayward; Ludovico Nitoglia, Tommaso Iannone, Henry Bacchin, Andrea Pratichetti; Sam Christie, Chris Smylie; Alberto de Marchi (capt), Roberto Santamaria, Rupert Harden, Duncan Naude, Tom Palmer, Robert Barbieri, Dean Budd, Braam Steyn.
Replacements: Luke Bigi, Zanusso Matthew, Simone Ferrari, Phillip Gerosa, Jean-Francois Montauriol, Marco Barbini, Alberto Lucchese, Simone Ragusi.
Referee: Lloyd Linton (Scotland)
Assistant Referees: Stuart Gaffikin, John Carvill (both Ireland)
Television Match Official: Alan Rogan (Ireland)
Pre-Match Quotes: Duncan Williams (Munster) – “A winning start is everything. We lost to Edinburgh at the start of last season and that had us on the back foot straight away. A first game win would give us some momentum to carry into the Ospreys game the week after. Every competition we play in we want to win and all eyes are on Treviso this weekend.
“Every team will be in the same boat (with players missing due to the Rugby World Cup) and it’s no different from other seasons when we’d be without internationals after their summer tours. Treviso will still have a big strong pack with a lot of guys getting their chance and wanting to impress. We need to be wary of that and get on the front foot from the off.
“Being a Corkman, born and bred, I love playing in Irish Independent Park. Even when I was in school (CBC) we used play our cup matches there.
“We only play four PRO12 games in Cork each season and that makes them all the more special when they come around. On the other hand you can’t beat a big European night in Thomond Park – anyone who has ever played in one of those occasions acknowledges how special it is.”
Alberto de Marchi (Benetton Treviso) – “I wanted to get back to Treviso because that’s home for me. A year away from the club makes a difference but I am finding my feet again very quickly. There have been many changes while I have been away but good changes.
“I wasn’t playing there last season but I followed my team-mates. The team was put together in a very short time last year so their preparation work was not as good as it should have been.
“This year is completely different. I can feel it is a very positive environment. There is a lot of enthusiasm there so I’m sure we will do a lot better than last year.”
Top Scorers – 2014/15 GUINNESS PRO12: Munster – Points: Ian Keatley 184; Tries: CJ Stander, Simon Zebo 9 each; Benetton Treviso – Points: Jayden Hayward 104; Tries: Francesco Minto, Simone Ragusi 4 each
RECENT LEAGUE MEETINGS:
Friday, September 7, 2012 – Munster 19 Benetton Treviso 6, Thomond Park
Sunday, February 24, 2013 – Benetton Treviso 34 Munster 10, Stadio di Monigo
Friday, September 20, 2013 – Benetton Treviso 29 Munster 19, Stadio di Monigo
Saturday, March 22, 2014 – Munster 14 Benetton Treviso 3, Thomond Park
Friday, September 12, 2014 – Benetton Treviso 10 Munster 21, Stadio di Monigo
Saturday, April 25, 2015 – Munster 30 Benetton Treviso 19, Irish Independent Park
MATCH FACTS:
– Munster went into last season’s GUINNESS PRO12 final on an unbeaten six-match run, but were unable to wrestle the trophy out of Glasgow’s grasp
– The Munstermen have won their last nine home games in the PRO12 since the Ospreys were victorious in Limerick in round 4 last season, although the province have not been defeated in Cork since Cardiff Blues were the visitors in January 2013
– Benetton Treviso lost their last seven matches of last season since beating the Blues at Stadio di Monigo in February, but have not won outside of Italy in the league since a trip to the Scarlets in round 22 of the 2012/13 season
– Munster have won their last three fixtures with Treviso since the Italians’ 29-19 success at home in round 3 two years ago
– The Munstermen have won all seven home matches they have played against Treviso in all competitions
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