In preparation for their second round of the United Rugby Championship against Zebre in Parma, (Saturday, 3pm Irish time), Munster has announced four amendments to their line-up that clinched a 35-33 win over Connacht in the initial game. Tony Butler has been brought in to replace Billy Burns, who was forced out of last Saturday’s game at Thomond Park due to a shoulder injury.
Among others called up to the starting positions include Josh Wycherley and Oli Jager who will now join captain Diarmuid Barron in the front row. Calvin Nash will also be joining as a winger. Meanwhile, Gavin Coombes is set to mark his 100th outing for the region, featuring in the backrow with Ruadhán Quinn and John Hodnett. Jean Kleyn and Fineen Wycherley complete the rest of the pack.
In spite of the changes, unfortunate news for Billy Burns fans as he remains out of the action for the face-off against Zebre following four changes since Connacht win.
As part of more rugby coverage, Matt Williams claims that the urge to handpick universal Wallabies for playing against Lions is accelerating. Meanwhile, Piers O’Conor already senses being at ease with Connacht.
Arguably, rugby seems to be emulating the Premier League as the financial scenario of UK rugby takes a turn for worse, and some URC teams are confined to risk. In brighter developments, France appears to have deciphered the domestic rugby code with its Top14, pulling record crowds and having a lucrative TV contract. Addressing these issues, French rugby expert James Harrington will be on The Counter Ruck to discuss the development of the league and if there are any lessons for other leagues.
Craig Casey will accompany 22-year-old Butler in the half-back, while Tom Farrell and Shane Daly will cover the inside and outside centre. Thaakir Abrahams has swapped to the left wing to team with Nash, and Mike Haley will persist as fullback.
Connacht, still looking for their inaugural win this season, will be taking on the Sharks in Galway (Saturday, 7.35pm), likewise integrating four revisions from last week’s team.
Finlay Bealham is set to take centre stage in the frontrow, stepping into Jack Aungier’s shoes as he journeys to South Africa as part of Emerging Ireland, alongside Darragh Murray. David O’Connor gets his first cap, taking Darragh Murray’s place in the second row. Niall Murray will be pairing with O’Connor, stepping in for the injured Joe Joyce, while Shane Jennings takes up the mantle on the wing in the absence of Shayne Bolton. On this occasion, Denis Buckley stands out, reaching his 250th cap for his hometown province and set to lead the charge in the frontrow.
Munster’s line-up for the match against Zebre on Saturday at 3pm Irish time at the Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi is as follows: Mike Haley; Calvin Nash, Shane Daly, Tom Farrell, Thaakir Abrahams; Tony Butler, Craig Casey; Josh Wycherley, Diarmuid Barron (Captain), Oli Jager; Jean Kleyn, Fineen Wycherley; Ruadhán Quinn, John Hodnett, Gavin Coombes. The reserves include Niall Scannell, Jeremy Loughman, John Ryan, Jack Daly, Jack O’Donoghue, Conor Murray, Bryan Fitzgerald, and Shay McCarthy.
For the Connacht versus Sharks game scheduled for Saturday at 7.35pm at the Dexcom Stadium, the team will feature Santiago Cordero; Mack Hansen, Piers O’Conor, Cathal Forde, Shane Jennings; Josh Ioane, Ben Murphy; Denis Buckley, Dave Heffernan, Finlay Bealham; Niall Murray, David O’Connor; Josh Murphy, Conor Oliver, Cian Prendergast (Captain). The list of substitutes includes Dylan Tierney-Martin, Peter Dooley, Sam Illo, Oisín Dowling, Shamus Hurley-Langton, Caolin Blade, David Hawkshaw, and Paul Boyle.