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First Munster starts for Arnold and Marshall while 4 internationals also return

Rassie Erasmus has named his side for tomorrow afternoon’s Guinness Pro12 meeting with Treviso.

Rassie Erasmus Munster Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus. Donall Farmer / INPHO Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO

THE MUNSTER TEAM to play Benetton Treviso tomorrow at Thomond Park in the Guinness Pro12 [KO 2.00pm] shows seven changes from the side that got the better of the Maori All Blacks in Limerick a fortnight ago.

Munster, who trail leaders Leinster by three points at the top, will have Ireland quartet Dave Kilcoyne, John Ryan, Jack O’Donoghue and Billy Holland back in the matchday squad for the visit of the Italians, who are currently stuck at the foot of the table.

Sammy Arnold has recovered from a knee injury to make his competitive debut in midfield alongside Jaco Taute, with Dave Foley also back in the team at lock after overcoming an elbow problem. He’s partnered at second row by Darren O’Shea.

Having recently signed a three-year deal with Munster, New Zealand hooker Rhys Marshall will make his first start in a front row that also includes Dave Kilcoyne and John Ryan.

Tommy O’Donnell will captain the team at openside flanker, with Jack O’Donoghue coming in at blindside and Robin Copeland continuing in the number eight shirt.

Sam Arnold Sam Arnold will make his competitive debut for Munster tomorrow. Lorraine O'Sullivan / INPHO Lorraine O'Sullivan / INPHO / INPHO

Duncan Williams and Tyler Bleyendaal resume their partnership at half-back, while Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus has gone with an unchanged back-three of Andrew Conway, Darren Sweetnam and Ronan O’Mahony.

Thomas du Toit and Angus Lloyd could make their Munster debuts after being named among the replacements. Having recovered from an ankle injury, Jean Kleyn is also on the bench.

Munster:

15. Andrew Conway
14. Darren Sweetnam
13. Sammy Arnold
12. Jaco Taute
11. Ronan O’Mahony
10. Tyler Bleyendaal
9. Duncan Williams

1. Dave Kilcoyne
2. Rhys Marshall
3. John Ryan
4. Dave Foley
5. Darren O’Shea
6. Jack O’Donoghue
7. Tommy O’Donnell (captain)
8. Robin Copeland

Replacements:

16. Niall Scannell
17. Thomas du Toit
18. Stephen Archer
19. Jean Kleyn
20. Billy Holland
21. Angus Lloyd
22. Ian Keatley
23. Alex Wootton

Benetton Treviso:

15. Jayden Hayward
14. Michael Tagicakibau
13. Tommaso Iannone
12. Alberto Sgarbi (captain)
11. Luca Sperandio
10. Ian McKinley
9. Tito Tebaldi

1. Alberto De Marchi
2. Luca Bigi
3. Matteo Zanusso
4. Filippo Gerosa
5. Michael Van Vuren
6. Marco Lazzaroni
7. Filippo Ferrarini
8. Marco Barbini

Replacements:

16. Davide Giazzon
17. Federico Zani
18. Tiziano Pasquali
19. Roberto Santamaria
20. Federico Conforti
21. Enrico Francescato
22. Andrea Pratichetti
23. David Odiete

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