Munster team to face Cardiff Blues
The Munster team to face Cardiff Blues in Wales on Saturday evening has been named with Jack O’Donoghue set to captain the side for the first time (5.30pm, live on Sky Sports).
The Waterford man, who turned 24 last week, has previously captained Munster A along with Waterpark, Munster and Ireland at underage level.
There are 10 changes to the side that recorded a bonus-point win over Zebre at Thomond Park last Saturday night.
Stephen Fitzgerald, fresh from signing a new contract, comes in at full-back for his first start of the season as Ronan O’Mahony also makes his first start of the season on the left wing after a long-term injury with Darren Sweetnam on the opposite flank.
Ireland international Rory Scannell comes back into the side to partner Sammy Arnold in the centres with Ian Keatley partnering Duncan Williams at half-back.
A new front row sees Dave Kilcoyne, Rhys Marshall and Stephen Archer all return to the starting XV.
Gerbrandt Grobler makes his first start in the PRO14 and partners Darren O’Shea in the second row as the Crosshaven man makes his ninth appearance of the campaign.
Captain O’Donoghue and no.8 Robin Copeland, Man of the Match last week, keep their places in the back row with Chris Cloete coming into the team at openside flanker.
In the replacements, Tyler Bleyendaal returns from a neck injury and could make his first appearance since the Champions Cup clash in Castres last October.
Hooker Mike Sherry is in line for his third appearance of the season with props James Cronin and Stephen Archer also among the replacements.
Flanker Dave O’Callaghan is set for his second appearance of the season after returning from a knee injury with Jean Kleyn providing the second row cover.
Scrum-half James Hart is set to make his first appearance since December with Simon Zebo completing the replacements.
Munster: Stephen Fitzgerald; Darren Sweetnam, Sammy Arnold, Rory Scannell, Ronan O’Mahony; Ian Keatley, Duncan Williams; Dave Kilcoyne, Rhys Marshall, John Ryan; Gerbrandt Grobler, Darren O’Shea; Jack O’Donoghue (C), Chris Cloete, Robin Copeland.
Replacements: Mike Sherry, James Cronin, Stephen Archer, Jean Kleyn, Dave O’Callaghan, James Hart, Tyler Bleyendaal, Simon Zebo.
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