Munster have been able to name four Ireland players in their squad as they host Zebre in Thomond Park on Saturday at 19 45.
CJ Stander is the only one of the four to slot straight back into the starting XV and will captain the side from No 8.
On the bench Niall Scannell, John Ryan and Chris Farrell have all been named as the hosts look to continue their hunt for first-place in Conference A.
The rest of the team is as follows; Jeremy Loughman, Rhys Marshall and Stephen Archer begin in the front-three, with Fineen Wycherley and Darren O’Shea start behind them in the second-row.
The back-row is completely different to the one that faced the Scarlets three-weeks ago, as Jack O’Donoghue and Chris Cloete join Stander from the flanks.
In the back-line, Alby Mathewson wears the No 9 jersey with JJ Hanrahan at 10. Rory Scannell and Dan Goggin continue their partnership in the centre.
While the back three sees Alex Wootton and Darren Sweetnam at 11 and 14 respectively, with Mike Haley at 15 once more.
Alongside Scannell, Ryan and Farrell on the bench are the likes of Arno Botha and Tyler Bleyendaal, who could make his 50th appearance for the club if he comes on.
Here is your Munster team to face Zebre at Thomond Park in the Guinness PRO14 tomorrow night!#MUNvZEB #SUAF pic.twitter.com/5fEDg0iJhO— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) March 22, 2024
Speaking to the media pre-game head coach Johann van Grann acknowledged that the Irish players had returned but insisted the win on Saturday is all that matters.
“We’ll take stock of the Irish lads coming back, finding the balance over the next ten weeks, but most importantly getting a win against Zebre at home. It’s four points on offer at home and four points that we’ve got to work hard for, and if there’s a bonus available we’ll go for that as well,” he said.
Munster currently sit second in Conference
A, three-points behind top side Glasgow, while Zebre are bottom of the
conference and nothing less than a win will satisfy Reds fans.
