IT’S LOOKING INCREASINGLY likely that Munster will be without Tyler Bleyendaal for Saturday’s Champions Cup clash with Racing 92, after JJ Hanrahan was excluded from the province’s ‘A’ team for tomorrow’s meeting with Nottingham.
Hanrahan played for Peter Malone’s side in their British and Irish Cup opener last weekend but his omission from Friday’s team suggests he will be involved in the Champions Cup fixture at Thomond Park on Saturday evening.
Rassie Erasmus suggested earlier in the week that he was resigned to losing Bleyendaal and hooker Niall Scannell for the visit of Racing after the pair sustained neck and thumb injuries in the draw with Castres.
Ian Keatley is likely to replace Bleyendaal at out-half this weekend with Hanrahan set to be recalled to provide back-up from the bench.
With Hanrahan unavailable for ‘A’ duty, Bill Johnston is named to start tomorrow’s round two meeting with Nottingham at Musgrave Park in one of seven changes from last weekend.
Up front, James Cronin returns from a knee injury to start at loosehead while Mike Sherry is promoted from the bench.
There is also a welcome return for Darren O’Shea, who makes his first appearance of the season following shoulder surgery and academy back Jack Power will make his debut for the province following his switch from Leinster.
Erasmus names his team for Racing at 12pm tomorrow.
Munster A:
15. Stephen Fitzgerald
14. Jack Power
13. David Johnston (captain)
12. Sam Arnold
11. Liam Coombes
10. Bill Johnston
9. James Hart
1. James Cronin
2. Mike Sherry
3. Brian Scott
4. Darren O’Shea
5. Sean McCarthy
6. Sean O’Connor
7. Gavin Coombes
8. Evan Mintern.
Replacements:
16. John Hodnett
17. Ciaran Parker
18. Fineen Wycherley
19. Ronan Coffey
20. John Poland
21. Conor Fitzgerald
22. Conor Hayes.
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