SIMON ZEBO AND TOMMY O’Donnell have failed to prove their fitness for Munster’s Guinness Pro12 clash with the Dragons at Musgrave Park tomorrow afternoon [KO 15.00].
Captain Peter O’Mahony is also missing from the starting XV for the visit of the Welsh region, having picked up what the province say is “a knock” in training yesterday. The Ireland back row is expected to return to training next week along with Duncan Casey, who was also injured at yesterday’s session.
Left wing Zebo has been struggling with a back injury in recent times and was forced off the pitch early in last weekend’s draw with Ulster, though Munster expect him to return to full training next week
The news for O’Donnell is more serious, as Munster day he will be out of action for six to eight weeks after tearing his hamstring at Kingspan Stadium.
Ronan O’Mahony comes into the XV in place of Zebo, having replaced him against Ulster, while there is a back row shuffle for Munster as they compensate for the loss of O’Mahony and O’Donnell.
Donnacha Ryan moves back to blindside flanker from the second row, while Paddy Butler is selected at openside flanker.
There are changes to the front row too, with John Ryan getting the nod at loosehead prop having impressed against Ulster and the experienced BJ Botha wearing the number three shirt.
Niall Scannell is included as back up to starting hooker Eusebio Guinazu, while Andrew Conway is included in the match day squad having last appeared for the senior side in March.
Munster
15. Felix Jones
14. Keith Earls
13. Andrew Smith
12. Denis Hurley (captain)
11. Ronan O’Mahony
10. Ian Keatley
9. Conor Murray
1. John Ryan
2. Eusebio Guinazu
3. BJ Botha
4. Billy Holland
5. Paul O’Connell
6. Donnacha Ryan
7. Paddy Butler
8. CJ Stander
Replacements:
16. Niall Scannell
17. Dave Kilcoyne
18. Stephen Archer
19. Sean Dougall
20. Jack O’Donoghue
21. Duncan Williams
22. JJ Hanrahan
23. Andrew Conway
