FORMER LEINSTER MAN Colm O’Shea has been named at inside centre in Munster’s XV for their first pre-season game against Zebre at the Waterford RSC on Friday evening [KO 7pm].
The 26-year-old, who played for an Ireland XV against the Barbarians last year, has been on trial with Munster for pre-season and will be hoping to secure a full-time contract ahead of the 2016/17 campaign.
O’Shea features in a Munster backline that will be guided by Ian Keatley and Duncan Williams from the halfback positions, with Cian Bohane starting at 13.
Academy man Stephen Fitzgerald is at fullback, with Ronan O’Mahony and Darren Sweetnam completing the back three.
Waterford native Jack O’Donoghue will be a big draw for local fans, while fellow Déise man Steven McMahon could play off the bench.
Dave O’Callaghan and ex-Leinster underage openside Conor Oliver join O’Donoghue in the back row, as captain Billy Holland and John Madigan form the second row. John Ryan, Niall Scannell and Stephen Archer complete the XV.
Off the bench, sub-academy out-half Conor Fitzgerald – brother of Stephen – could make his first Munster appearance, as could back row Gavin Coombes and wing Calvin Nash. All three of the youngsters received their Leaving Cert results today.
There are further possible first Munster appearances for Brian Scott, Ollie Lyons, Dan Goggin, and Cork Con scrum-half John Poland, while new signings Darren O’Shea and John Andress are set to make their debuts.
Munster (v Zebre):
15. Stephen Fitzgerald
14. Darren Sweetnam
13. Cian Bohane
12. Colm O’Shea
11. Ronan O’Mahony
10. Ian Keatley
9. Duncan Williams
1. John Ryan
2. Niall Scannell
3. Stephen Archer
4. John Madigan
5. Billy Holland (captain)
6. Dave O’Callaghan
7. Conor Oliver
8. Jack O’Donoghue
Replacements:
Kevin O’Byrne
Peter McCabe
John Andress
Brian Scott
Darren O’Shea
Dave Foley
Ollie Lyons
Gavin Coombes
John Poland
Conor Fitzgerald
Dan Goggin
David Johnston
Calvin Nash
Steven McMahon
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