Two of the victorious teams from the GUINNESS PRO12’s opening round clash in Cork tonight, with Munster looking to impress in Rassie Erasmus’ first home competitive game as director of rugby.
GUINNESS PRO12: Friday, September 9
MUNSTER (6th) v CARDIFF BLUES (4th), Irish Independent Park, 7.35pm (live TG4/BBC 2 Wales)
Team News: Munster director of rugby Rassie Erasmus has made two changes to the team that defeated the Scarlets for Friday’s GUINNESS PRO12 encounter with Cardiff Blues.
In an unchanged pack, James Cronin, Niall Scannell and John Ryan form the front row with Dave Foley and captain Billy Holland again completing the tight five.
Dave O’Callaghan remains at blindside flanker with last weekend’s man-of-the-match in Llanelli,Tommy O’Donnell, and Jack O’Donoghue continuing at openside and number 8 respectively.
The first change is seen in the half-backs with Ian Keatley coming in to partner Duncan Williams. Rory Scannell and Academy centre Dan Goggin continue in midfield with the final change at full-back where Andrew Conway makes his first appearance of the season, linking up with wingers Ronan O’Mahony and Darren Sweetnam.
Named among the replacements, returning international CJ Stander, hooker Duncan Casey and Academy full-back Stephen Fitzgerald are all in line to make their first PRO12 appearances of the season.
Casey spent much of last season rehabbing a pectoral tear and if sprung from the bench, he will make his first competitive appearance since November of last year. Tyler Bleyendaal was not available for selection after reporting a mild calf strain.
Adult tickets from €;20 and family tickets from €;40 (two adults & two juniors) can be purchased online here, from the Munster Rugby Ticket Offices at Irish Independent Park and Thomond Park, or by calling 0818 719 300.
Tickets can also be bought as part of match packs – select a minimum of three games and save 10% across the cost of all tickets. Click here to start building your match pack now.
Meanwhile, Cardiff Blues captain Gethin Jenkins returns to the starting line-up as head coach Danny Wilson makes four changes for their round 2 trip to Cork.
The Wales record cap holder came off the bench in last week’s 34-16 bonus point win over Edinburgh and now starts in the place of Rhys Gill. He is just one of four Wales internationals that Wilson has recalled, with Alex Cuthbert, Gareth Anscombe and Kristian Dacey the others.
A further Wales trio – Josh Turnbull, Sam Warburton and Lloyd Williams – are also set for their first appearances of the season after being named among the replacements.
MUNSTER: Andrew Conway; Darren Sweetnam, Dan Goggin, Rory Scannell, Ronan O’Mahony; Ian Keatley, Duncan Williams; James Cronin, Niall Scannell, John Ryan, Dave Foley, Billy Holland (capt), Dave O’Callaghan, Tommy O’Donnell, Jack O’Donoghue.
Replacements: Duncan Casey, Dave Kilcoyne, Brian Scott, Donnacha Ryan, CJ Stander, Tomas O’Leary, Cian Bohane, Stephen Fitzgerald.
CARDIFF BLUES: Dan Fish; Alex Cuthbert, Cory Allen, Rey Lee-Lo, Tom James; Gareth Anscombe, Tomos Williams; Gethin Jenkins (capt), Kristian Dacey; Taufa’ao Filise, George Earle, Macauley Cook, Josh Navidi, Ellis Jenkins, Nick Williams.
Replacements: Matthew Rees, Rhys Gill, Scott Andrews, Josh Turnbull, Sam Warburton, Lloyd Williams, Steve Shingler, Matthew Morgan.
Referee: Ian Davies (Wales)
Assistant Referees: Craig Evans (Wales), Nigel Correll (Ireland)
Television Match Official: Jim Yuille (Scotland)
Match Odds (Paddy Power): Munster to win: 4/9; Draw: 20/1; Cardiff Blues to win: 15/8
Pre-Match Quotes: Duncan Williams (Munster) – “We didn’t have much ball (in attack against the Scarlets) last weekend. Anytime we do get a bit of ball in the attacking half, it is much quicker and it’s my job to get in there and move it as quickly as possible.
“We seem to be doing some good stuff when we do get that quick ball. That has been a theme of our pre-season really. Even in the friendlies, when we get into the opposition 22, we seem to come away with points. I think a lot of credit has to go to the coaches on that. Hopefully, we will get more of the same going forward.
“Cardiff were very impressive (against Edinburgh in round 1). They have a very good back row, two very good centres. They signed Steve Shingler from the Scarlets, he is an impressive 10, so we expect nothing different from them. They are a good team and they will bring it to us on Friday night.”
Danny Wilson (Cardiff Blues) – “Munster showed how clinical they are playing their game against the Scarlets. They play a very abrasive, confrontational style both in attack and defence, there’s a lot around their set piece and it is effective for them.
“We feel we have an approach which will suit the opposition we are playing but ultimately it’s about us being able to execute that against a good, pressure defence.
“We have to get it right mentally and physically. It’s a good challenge and we go there as underdogs but underdogs on the back of a good performance and result.
“We took them really close last season, we had a decent day, played some expansive rugby and tested them but came away with a narrow (35-27) loss and learnt lessons from that.”
Top Scorers – 2016/17 GUINNESS PRO12: Munster – Points: Tyler Bleyendaal 10; Tries: James Cronin, Ronan O’Mahony 1 each; Cardiff Blues – Points: Steve Shingler 15; Tries: Steve Shingler, Nick Williams, Tomos Williams 1 each
RECENT LEAGUE MEETINGS:
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
Friday, March 18, 2016 – Cardiff Blues 37 Munster 28, BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park
MATCH FACTS:
– Referee Ian Davies becomes only the 12th official, and fourth Welshman, to take charge of 50 GUINNESS PRO12 matches
– Munster have won their last three PRO12 games, and historically have always been strong starters having lost just once in the opening two rounds since 2009
– The Munstermen have won their last four home fixtures at their two venues, and have been defeated just once at Irish Independent Park in their last 14 matches: 21-17 to the Ospreys last February
– Cardiff Blues’ only loss in their last seven PRO12 outings was 40-27 to the Ospreys on ‘Judgement Day’ at Principality Stadium last April
– The Blues beat Edinburgh in round 1 but have not won both opening encounters since the 2011/12 season
– The Welshmen’s 37-28 victory at BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park in round 12 last season ended a run of five successive Munster victories in this fixture
– Cardiff Blues are the only visiting side to have won on three separate occasions in Cork in the PRO12, during the 2006/07, 2007/08 and 2012/13 seasons
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