AUSTRALIAN LOCK MARK Chisholm, Kiwi centre Francis Saili and 19-year-old wing Stephen Fitzgerald will make their Munster debuts in Sunday’s Guinness Pro12 clash with the Ospreys at Liberty Stadium (KO 2.30pm, TG4).
33-year-old Chisholm has been named in Munster’s second row alongside Dave Foley.
New Zealander Tyler Bleyendaal has been handed the number 10 shirt by head coach Anthony Foley after impressing as a replacement against Treviso last weekend, with Ian Keatley moving to the bench.
Dynamic centre Francis Saili makes his competitive debut in the centre after recovering from the concerning head/neck injury he sustained in the pre-season friendly against London Irish, partnering Rory Scannell in midfield.
Captain Felix Jones, Andrew Conway, academy wing Fitzgerald – an Ireland U20 international – and scrum-half Cathal Sheridan make up the rest of an exciting backline.
Up front, Mike Sherry continues his resurgence at hooker, forming the front row with fellow Ireland internationals Dave Kilcoyne and Stephen Archer. Dave O’Callaghan, Jack O’Donoghue and Robin Copeland make up an athletic back row.
Last week’s man of the match, CJ Stander, is among the replacements, as are Jordan Coghlan and David Johnston.
Munster (v Ospreys):
15. Felix Jones (captain)
14. Andrew Conway
13. Francis Saili
12. Rory Scannell
11. Stephen Fitzgerald
10. Tyler Bleyendaal
9. Cathal Sheridan
1. Dave Kilcoyne
2. Mike Sherry
3. Stephen Archer
4. Mark Chisholm
5. Dave Foley
6. Dave O’Callaghan
7. Jack O’Donoghue
8. Robin Copeland
Replacements:
16. Duncan Casey
17. James Cronin
18. BJ Botha
19. Jordan Coghlan
20. CJ Stander
21. Duncan Williams
22. Ian Keatley
23. David Johnston
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Meanwhile, Ulster coach Neil Doak has made two changes to his starting team for tomorrow’s visit to the Scarlets (KO 3pm, Sky Sports).
Andrew Trimble misses out with a hip flexor strain, meaning Craig Gilroy switches over to the right wing and the talented Rory Scholes comes in on the left.
Peter Browne, a summer signing from London Welsh, gets his first start in the second row, replacing Ireland international Dan Tuohy.
The rest of the XV is unchanged, with Peter Nelson continuing at out-half and Stuart McCloskey again forming the centre partnership with Luke Marshall. Ireland U20 cap David Busby could make his senior debut off the bench.
Ulster (v Scarlets):
15. Louis Ludik
14. Craig Gilroy
13. Luke Marshall
12. Stuart McCloskey
11. Rory Scholes
10. Peter Nelson
9. Paul Marshall
1. Andrew Warwick
2. Rob Herring (captain)
3. Wiehahn Herbst
4. Peter Browne
5. Franco Van der Merwe
6. Roger Wilson
7. Willie Faloon
8. Nick Williams
Replacements:
16. John Andrew
17. Callum Black
18. Ricky Lutton
19. Robbie Diack
20. Clive Ross
21. David Shanahan
22. Sam Arnold
23. David Busby
