Munster have made 11 changes to the side that faced Zebre a week ago as they head to Edinburgh for their Champions Cup Quarter-Final at BT Murrayfield on Saturday at 12 45.
Among the returning players are a host of Irish internationals, however the hosts have also named a strong team as they look to continue their fine form.
While the men in red have also been handed a huge boost with fly-half Joey Carbery being passed fit to start the game.
Dave Kilcoyne, Niall Scannell and John Ryan lock down in the front-three, with Jean Kleyn and Tadhg Beirne in the second-row.
Peter O’Mahony will captain the team from blindside flanker, with Jack O’Donoghue being rewarded for his recent form to start on the openside, and CJ Stander makes up the front-eight from No8.
Conor Murray comes back into the team after a poor Six Nations and will be hoping to find some form. He is joined in the half-backs by the returning Carbery who has recovered from a hamstring injury that has left him out for over a month.
Rory Scannell and Chris Farrell are the centre pairing, with Keith Earls and Andrew Conway at 11 and 14 respectively, and Mike Haley continuing at full-back.
There is strength on the bench too as players such as Rhys Marshell, Billy Holland, Arno Botha and Tyler Bleyendaal will look to make an impact if needed.
Here is your Munster team for tomorrow’s Champions Cup quarter-final against Edinburgh at Murrayfield (12.45pm).
Safe travels to all our supporters en route to Scotland! #EDIvMUN #SUAF pic.twitter.com/PZKqDnd3iq
— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) March 29, 2024
Munster head coach Johann van Graan has spoken of his sides excitement in reaching the last eight but is expecting a tough game in Scotland.
“It will be a massive challenge on Saturday and one that we are very much looking forward to. To get to a semi-final you have to get to a quarter-final, hopefully we can prepare well. Saturday will be a big battle,” he said.
The Scottish side start with Pierre
Schoeman, captain Stuart McInally and WP Nel in the front-row, as Ben Toolis
and Grant Gilchrist slotting in behind.
Last weekend’s man of the match in their
win over Leinster, John Barclay, is at six, with Hamish Watson at seven and
Viliame Mata at eight.
Henry Pyros begins at scrum-half alongside
Jaco Van Der Walt, as Chris Dean and James Johnstone line-up in the centre.
Duhan Van Der Merwe starts on the left-wing,
with Damien Hoyland on the right and youngster Darcy Graham at full-back.
The men on the bench include Ross Ford,
Allan Dell, Jamie Ritchie and Mark Bennett, who are big players to be able to
call upon.
Edinburgh head coach Richard Cockerill is
confident that his side can make it to the final-four if they show up on
Saturday.
“We’re going to go full blown into the battle and take them on. We’re going to enjoy the contest and see if we’re good enough to do it. We’ll try and out-Munster Munster, as we’re two sides that play quite similar rugby. If we get it right, we’ll beat them – we’ve got to front up in these big games. We’ll be well prepared, have a lot of belief in what we do and we’re coming here to win,” he said.
The opening quarter-final sees some massive
match-ups across the pitch, and here’s some to look out for.
Niall Scannell vs Stuart McInally:
Scannell is still uncertain of a place on
the Irish plane to the World Cup in Japan and knows a big performance in
Scotland will catch Joe Schmidt’s eye. While McInally is capable of being up
there with the best on his day and will be hoping to cement his Scottish place.
The line-out will be key in this game, as will any chance of a rolling-maul for
either side and if these men can be on their game, they could be the difference.
Tadhg Beirne vs Grant Gilchrist:
Beirne did little to impress during the Six
Nations, but we all know what he is capable of. On the other hand, Gilchrist
was one of the shining lights in the Scottish team. Both are huge players in the
air and at the breakdown so this will be an individual clash to look forward
to.
Peter O’Mahony vs John Barclay:
O’Mahony has been at the top for a long
time but was off-form in Ireland’s game against Wales, whereas Barclay is just
back from injury and won man of the match versus Leinster last weekend. Both are
crucial leaders on their respective teams, this could be a real arm-wrestle at
the breakdown with these two around.
Andrew Conway vs Duhan Van Der Merwe:
Conway is always up for a game, but he is
coming up against an in-form Van Der Merwe, who looks as though he could score
at any moment. Conway will need to not only be on his game from an attacking
point of view but also in defence with the big man around. While Van Der Merwe
will need to be defensively ready for the quick-minded and ever alert Conway.
Mike Haley vs Darcy Graham:
Haley has been in remarkable form over the
past while and Darcy Graham showed what he is all about when called upon during
Scotland’s Six Nations. Graham has been used mostly on the wing so it will be
interesting to see him at full-back, as Haley will surely test him with a
kicking-game. However, kicking to the young man could be a dangerous tactic as
we have become aware of his deadly speed and finishing ability. It will be mind-games
all the way between these two as they will look to lead from the back.
With a place in the final-four of the
competition at steak, these two in form teams will go head-to-head in what
could be an absolute cracker. Whoever can overcome the opposition will be a tough
team to face in the semis as they are both gaining confidence with every game
they play.
