Munster have made six changes to their starting XV as they visit the Liberty Stadium to face a depleted Ospreys side on Friday at 19 35.
Both teams are without a host of international stars as the men in red look to continue their reign at the top of Conference A.
With the likes of Andrew Conway, Chris Farrell and Niall Scannell heading back to Irish duty some players have got an opportunity to impress.
Calvin Nash comes into the starting XV on the wing for his first game of the season, while Jaco Taute and Dan Goggin making up the centre partnership.
JJ Hanrahan has been named at fly-half, with the other changes coming in the front-row where Rhys Marshell starts at hooker and Stephen Archer is at tighthead prop.
Archer and Marshell are joined by Jeremy Loughman in the front three.
The rest of the pack remains the same as last week with Jean Kleyn partnering captain Billy Holland in the second-row, while Fineen Wycherley, Chris Cloete and Arno Botha make up the back-row.
Neil Cronin is Hanrahan’s half-back partner, and as mentioned above Taute and Goggin are at 12 and 13 respectively.
Darren Sweetnam is at 11, Nash at 14 and Mike Haley continues at full-back.
On the bench, Jack O’Donoghue is set to make his first appearance since injuring his knee last May.
Here is your Munster team for tomorrow night’s Guinness PRO14 clash against Ospreys at Liberty Stadium! #OSPvMUN #SUAF pic.twitter.com/Fpoz4lrU4i— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) February 21, 2025
Speaking ahead of the game Munster head coach Johann van Graan has given his fringe players encouragement by saying that this is their chance to prove themselves.
“We’re a lot of numbers down, but we’re excited about that because it comes back to our squad, and a lot of guys will get opportunities this week specifically to play and to hopefully put up their hands for later in the season,” he said.
The Ospreys are looking to bounce back from
an 8-0 loss to Ulster last weekend and head coach Allen Clarke has told his side
that they need to continue their charge for the knock-out stages.
“Friday night’s game against Munster is important if we are to keep challenging for the play-off positions. It’s obviously a massive test against the conference leaders but a test the boys are determined to embrace,” he said.
Munster currently sit top of Conference A
two points ahead of second placed Glasgow Warriors and will be looking to continue
their recent run of form. However, the Ospreys are down in fourth with only two
separating them from the Cheetahs in sixth.
A win for either team could be vital to their season as we head into the final few rounds of fixtures.
