Live

Repeat: OTB Breakfast

12:00 AM-02:00 AM

Repeat: OTB Breakfast
Advertisement

Sport

James Cronin's return one of a number of Munster changes for Guinness PRO14 clash with Connacht

Munster head coach Johann van Graan has named his side to take on Connacht at the Sportsground on...



Munster head coach Johann van Graan has named his side to take on Connacht at the Sportsground on Saturday evening in the Guinness PRO14. 

Munster will go into the game off the back of a narrow 15-10 loss to Ulster last weekend while Connacht enjoyed a shock defeat over Leinster at the RDS.

Johann van Graan has made 14 changes to his starting XV that lined out against Dan McFarland's side at the Kingspan Stadium, with a number of big names returning to the starting line up.

In the front row, James Cronin returns to the side after recovering from an abdomen injury and he is joined by Kevin O’Byrne and Stephen Archer.

The game will be Cronin's 100th appearance in the competition.

Jean Kleyn and Tadhg Beirne form the second row partnership while Gavin Coombes, captain Peter O’Mahony and CJ Stander make up the back row combination.

In the half backs, Conor Murray and JJ Hanrahan renew their partnership alongside Damian De Allende and Chris Farrell in the centre.

Shane Daly, who is the only player to retain his position from the Ulster game, starts on the left wing.

Keith Earls takes up the other wing spot and Mike Haley slots in at full back.

Josh Wycherley and Ben Healy are named amongst the replacements.

Meanwhile, 23-year-old Fineen Wycherley will make his 50th appearance for the province if introduced from the bench.

Munster side in full to face Connacht:

Mike Haley

Keith Earls

Chris Farrell

Damian de Allende

Shane Daly

JJ Hanrahan

Conor Murray

James Cronin

Kevin O’Byrne

Stephen Archer

Jean Kleyn

Tadhg Beirne

Gavin Coombes

Peter O’Mahony (C)

CJ Stander.

Replacements:

Niall Scannell

Josh Wycherley

Keynan Knox

Fineen Wycherley

Billy Holland

Nick McCarthy

Ben Healy

Rory Scannell.

Kick-off at the Sportsground is at 7.35pm on Saturday.

Team of Us. Everyone In.

Vodafone. The main sponsor of the Irish Rugby Team

Download the brand new OffTheBall App in the Play Store & App Store right now! We've got you covered!

Subscribe to OffTheBall's YouTube channel for more videos, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for the latest sporting news and content.


Read more about

Guinness Pro 14 James Cronin Johann Van Graan Munster