Munster are looking to continue their recent winning streak when they face the Dragons in Rodney Park on Saturday afternoon.
The Irish province head into the match sitting top of conference A with 44 points, two ahead of Glasgow Warriors. While the Dragons lie in sixth in conference B with only four wins in 13 games and only 18 points.
When the two sides met earlier in the season Munster were comprehensive 49-6 winners.
However, this time around, both teams are without some key men due to 6 Nations duties, with Munster changing 13 players from last weekend’s win over Exeter.
The much changed starting XV sees Tyler Bleyendaal start at inside centre and captain the side. He is joined in the centre by Dan Goggins, with a back three of Mike Haley, Darren Sweetnam and Ronan O’Mahony.
Alby Mathewson and Bill Johnston start in the half-backs pairing.
Jeremy Loughman, Rhys Marshell, and Stephen Archer come into the front-row. While Jean Kleyn, the only man other then Haley to retain his place, is partnered by Billy Holland in the second-row.
The pack is completed by Fineen Wychorley, Conor Oliver, and Arno Both in the back-row.
Here is your Munster team to face Dragons in the Guinness PRO14 at Rodney Parade tomorrow (3pm – live on eir Sport, TG4 and Premier Sports).#DRAvMUN #SUAF ? pic.twitter.com/aMnqAvfsrk— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) January 25, 2025
The Dragons are missing six first team players that were called up by Wales including Ross Moriarty and Hallam Amos.
Former Leinster utility player Zane Kirchner is on the bench after starting at full-back last weekend in their 49-7 loss to Clermont, in the European Challenge Cup.
Richard Hibbard captains the side in a mostly unchanged pack from that match.
⚠️ TEAM NEWS ?| Your @dragonsrugby to play @Munsterrugby at @rodneyparade tomorrow in @PRO14Official (kick off 3pm)… ?
Returns for @Josh10Lewis @W10Jordan @TylerMorgan013 @jackdixon1312 @willtd15 and @Nic_Cudd ? #BringYourFire ? #DRAvMUN pic.twitter.com/3jp4dMlzdX— Dragons ? (@dragonsrugby) January 25, 2025
Munster No 8 Arno Botha has told his team mates that the level cannot drop now that the Irish internationals are gone and that the team must perform.
“We have Munster standards, and Munster isn’t just some guys, it’s the team. We remind ourselves that the Munster standards remain whole in the team,” he said.
While head coach Johann van Graan
reiterated Botha’s comments and has warned his team of the chasing pack that
includes the likes Glasgow and Connacht.
“We have got to keep performing week in and week out,” he said.
A win at the weekend would see Munster record five wins in a row in all competitions and ensure that they remain top of the conference. While a win for the Dragons could be a timely reminder to fans that there is hope.
