Munster still have some work to do in order to book their European Champions Cup spot for next season, requiring two points from this clash with the Scarlets to seal a top six finish.
GUINNESS PRO12: Saturday, May 7
MUNSTER (6th) v SCARLETS (5th), Thomond Park, 3pm (live TG4 Player/UPC 602/Saorview Red Button/S4C)
Team News: For the first time this season, head coach Anthony Foley has named an unchanged team as Munster bid to secure Champions Cup qualification in round 22 of the GUINNESS PRO12. They welcome the Scarlets to Thomond Park.
The match marks a milestone in the career of Dave Kilcoyne who will win his 100th cap for the province when starting alongside Niall Scannell and Stephen Archer in the front row.
Dave Foley and Billy Holland continue in the second row with the back row trio of Dave O’Callaghan, Tommy O’Donnell and captain CJ Stander – this week named the IRUPA Players’ Player of the Year and Supporters’ Player of the Year – again completing the pack.
Conor Murray and Johnny Holland take charge at half-back with Rory Scannell set to make his final appearance as an Academy player. The centre, who progresses to the senior squad in July, will make his 20th PRO12 appearance of the season, featuring alongside Francis Saili in midfield.
Keith Earls and Andrew Conway are again named on the wings with Munster’s joint top try scorer this season, Simon Zebo, remaining at full-back.
Over 17,000 tickets have now been sold for this round 22 game. Tickets can be purchased online via Ticketmaster.ie, from the Munster Rugby Ticket Offices in Irish Independent Park and Thomond Park, or by calling 061 421103 or 0818 719 300.
Meanwhile, Scarlets boss Wayne Pivac has been forced to make three changes to last week’s starting line-up due to injuries – Gareth Owen, Peter Edwards and Steff Hughes have been drafted into the team to replace Michael Collins, Samson Lee and Scott Williams.
Collins and Lee suffered hamstring and concussion injuries respectively during last Saturday’s 34-20 derby victory over the Newport Gwent Dragons at the Principality Stadium.
The side will also be without vice-captain Williams who suffered a hamstring strain in a training session earlier this week having made his first regional appearance of the season last weekend.
Owen, who earlier this week signed a contract extension to remain at the Welsh region, has been named on the right wing with Liam Williams moving to his preferred full-back position.
Edwards comes into the front row, alongside captain Ken Owens and international loosehead Rob Evans, for the mammoth challenge in Limerick.
The Scarlets will hope to secure a win in the final game of the regular PRO12 season to keep hopes of a play-off spot alive. The Llanelli outfit will also be keeping a keen eye on the score, and result, at the Liberty Stadium as the Ospreys entertain fourth-placed Ulster.
MUNSTER: Simon Zebo; Andrew Conway, Francis Saili, Rory Scannell, Keith Earls; Johnny Holland, Conor Murray; Dave Kilcoyne, Niall Scannell, Stephen Archer, Dave Foley, Billy Holland, Dave O’Callaghan, Tommy O’Donnell, CJ Stander (capt).
Replacements: Mike Sherry, James Cronin, John Ryan, Robin Copeland, Jack O’Donoghue, Duncan Williams, Ian Keatley, Ronan O’Mahony.
SCARLETS: Liam Williams; Gareth Owen, Steff Hughes, Hadeigh Parkes, Steff Evans; Steve Shingler, Aled Davies; Rob Evans, Ken Owens (capt), Peter Edwards, Jake Ball, David Bulbring, Lewis Rawlins, James Davies, John Barclay.
Replacements: Ryan Elias, Dylan Evans, Rhodri Jones, Tom Price, Morgan Allen, Gareth Davies, Aled Thomas, Michael Tagicakibau.
Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)
Assistant Referees: Dudley Phillips, Nigel Correll (both Ireland)
Match Odds (Paddy Power): Munster to win: 2/5; Draw: 19/1; Scarlets to win: 21/10
Pre-Match Quotes: Andrew Conway (Munster) – “We got there in the end (against Edinburgh). It was a tight game and we had to show a bit of courage. There was a lot on the line, especially in front of a big, vocal crowd in Cork.
“We came good but it kinda counts for nothing now. We’ve given ourselves the opportunity to go again on Saturday against the Scarlets who are one of the best teams in the league, they’re unbelievably dangerous from anywhere on the pitch. They’ve got some of Wales’ best players in that back-line so it’s going to be a big challenge.
“The supporters were brilliant (last weekend in Cork). I hadn’t played in front of a packed-out crowd for a while and you forget how special it is sometimes and Cork is obviously a smaller stadium so it’s easier to fill but the support was unreal, how vocal it was.
“We know that we’re trying to provide a performance for people to come and enjoy themselves and it was quite an entertaining game. There was a lot on the line last week so it would be unreal if we can get a big crowd this week because you can see it helps you.
“As much as you want to create your own atmosphere, when an atmosphere is created for you it makes things a hell of a lot easier.”
Wayne Pivac (Scarlets) – “We’ve talked about the scenarios, in relation to our match and Ulster’s match with Ospreys. We’re going with focus of a quarter-final, it’s a ‘must win’ match if we’re to progress without worrying too much about other matches.
“We’ll take the same approach as last week, get out there and focus on the performance and everything else should fall in to place.
“Munster had a good win against Edinburgh. They’ve got a very good driving lineout. They’ll be a tough side. They have some good attacking threats. They’re a side that’s going to be very challenging, especially at home.
“We talked about last year’s top four, we’ve played three of them away and won all three. I think this game is slightly different from those – there’s no more next week or second chances. We all know what we have to do which adds a little bit more pressure.
“Certainly, we have got the confidence of going, in particular to Ireland, Ulster was one of our best performances this season. It’s going to require another massive effort.”
Top Scorers – 2015/16 GUINNESS PRO12: Munster – Points: Ian Keatley 124; Tries: Mike Sherry, Simon Zebo 5 each; Scarlets – Points: Aled Thomas 114; Tries: DTH van der Merwe 7
RECENT LEAGUE MEETINGS:
Saturday, February 16, 2013 – Scarlets 18 Munster 10, Parc y Scarlets
Saturday, December 21, 2013 – Munster 16 Scarlets 10, Musgrave Park
Saturday, March 1, 2014 – Scarlets 18 Munster 13, Parc y Scarlets
Friday, October 10, 2014 – Munster 17 Scarlets 6, Thomond Park
Saturday, February 21, 2015 – Scarlets 25 Munster 25, Parc y Scarlets
Friday, October 23, 2015 – Scarlets 25 Munster 22, Parc y Scarlets
MATCH FACTS:
– Munster need two points from this game to secure Champions Cup rugby in 2016/17, anything less and they could open the door for the Ospreys
– The Munstermen’s last six games have been won by the home side on the day, while they have not been defeated in Limerick since December 27
– The Scarlets require as many points as possible to give themselves a shot at a play-off spot for the first time since the 2012/13 season
– The Scarlets’ ‘Judgement Day’ victory over the Newport Gwent Dragons ended a two-match losing streak, with their last four encounters all being won by the away side on the day
– The Scarlets’ only defeat in their last four fixtures with Munster was at Thomond Park in this equivalent fixture in round 6 last year. The Welshmen’s only previous victory in Limerick was in September 2003
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