Munster have named a strong match-23, including Irish speedster Simon Zebo and Tongan international Malakai Fekitoa, for Thursday’s historic clash against South Africa ‘A’ at Páirc Uí Chaoimh in Cork.
The sell-out game will see 41,400 supporters make their way to Páirc Uí Chaoimh for the largest-ever attendance at a rugby game in the province.
There are seven changes to the side that faced Ulster at Thomond Park last time out, with Jack O’Donoghue named to captain a Munster side including three Academy players. Academy lock Edwin Edogbo keeps his place in the second row with Cian Hurley and Patrick Campbell among the replacements.
Antoine Frisch makes his first start for Munster after recovering from a calf injury suffered on the Emerging Ireland tour to South Africa. Kiran McDonald partners Edogbo in the second row on his first Munster appearance after joining on a short-term deal last month.
Zebo, Ben Healy, Josh Wycherley, Roman Salanoa and Gavin Coombes also come into the starting XV. Mike Haley starts at fullback with Shane Daly and Zebo on either wing.
Rory Scannell and Frisch form the centre partnership for the first time with Paddy Patterson and Healy in the half-backs.
Wycherley, Diarmuid Barron and Salanoa pack down in the front row with Edogbo and McDonald in the engine room, while the loose trio of O’Donoghue, John Hodnett and Coombes complete the side.
Barron, Coombes and Daly were all in action for Ireland A against the New Zealand XV last week.
Hooker Niall Scannell has completed the return-to-play protocols and is named among the replacements along with props Liam O’Connor and Keynan Knox. Academy lock/back-row forward Hurley and Alex Kendellen complete the forward cover.
Neil Cronin, Campbell and Malakai Fekitoa are the backline replacements with Fekitoa returning from international duty with Tonga.
Rory Scannell and Niall Scannell are the only two players in this squad who played in Munster’s last game against a touring side, the Maori All Blacks, in 2016.
Kick-off is at 21h30 (SA time) and the clash will be broadcast live on SuperSport.
Munster: 15 Mike Haley; 14 Shane Daly, 13 Antoine Frisch, 12 Rory Scannell, 11 Simon Zebo; 10 Ben Healy, 9 Paddy Patterson, 8 Gavin Coombes, 7 John Hodnett, 6 Jack O’Donoghue (captain), 5 Kiran McDonald, 4 Edwin Edogbo, 3 Roman Salanoa, 2 Diarmuid Barron, 1 Josh Wycherley. Replacements: 16 Niall Scannell, 17 Liam O’Connor, 18 Keynan Knox, 19 Cian Hurley, 20 Alex Kendellen, 21 Neil Cronin, 22 Patrick Campbell, 23 Malakai Fekitoa.
