ANTHONY FOLEY HAS picked New Zealander Tyler Bleyendaal in the 10 shirt for Munster’s opening pre-season fixture against Grenoble at Thomond Park tomorrow evening (KO 19.00).

Bleyendaal at Munster training this week. Donall Farmer / INPHO Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO

The former Kiwi U20 captain joined Munster last season, but his recovery from a neck injury meant he featured only for the province’s A side late in the campaign. Now fully recovered and with a strong pre-season under his belt, Bleyendaal begins his Munster career in earnest.

He partners Cathal Sheridan – another who was injured last season – in the halfbacks for the meeting with Bernard Jackman’s Grenoble, while new signing Matt D’Arcy and the returning Cian Bohane fill the midfield.

South African Gerhard van den Heever is in the back three with former Cork hurler Darren Sweetnam and UL Bohs man David Johnston.

Ireland international Robin Copeland is at the centre of the back row, with Shane Buckley and ex-Leinster man Jordan Coghlan flanking him. In the engine room, Ireland’s Dave Foley and the promising John Madigan link up.

Coghlan is a new signing from Leinster. Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO

Finally, the front row is made up of John Ryan, Niall Scannell and the experienced BJ Botha. An 11-man bench includes Donncha O’Callaghan, the exciting Diarmuid McCarthy and younger players like Ned Hodson and Bill Johnston.

Jackman’s Grenoble, meanwhile, have named a strong starting XV to face Munster, with Irishmen Denis Coulson and Chris Farrell on the bench.

Munster (v Grenoble):

15. David Johnston
14. Darren Sweetnam
13. Cian Bohane
12. Matt D’Arcy
11. Gerhard van den Heever
10. Tyler Bleyendaal
9. Cathal Sheridan

1. John Ryan
2. Niall Scannell
3. BJ Botha
4. John Madigan
5. Dave Foley
6. Shane Buckley
7. Jordan Coghlan
8. Robin Copeland

Replacements:

Kevin O’Bryne
Peter McCabe
Rory Burke
Donncha O’Callaghan
Sean McCarthy
Ryan Foley
Bill Johnston
Diarmuid McCarthy
Conor Oliver
Ned Hodson
Steve McMahon

Grenoble (v Munster):

15. Fabien Gengenbacher
14. Xavier Mignot
13. Fabrice Estebanez
12. Nigel Hunt
11. Daniel Kilioni
10. Jonathan Wisniewski
9. Charl McLeod

1. Fabien Barcella
2. Laurent Bouchet
3. Walter Desmaison
4. Ben Hand
5. James Percival
6. Jonathan Best
7. Mahamadou Diaby
8. Rory Grice

Replacements:

Denis Coulson
Arnaud Héguy
Dayna Edwards
Mathias Marie
Peter Kimlin
Fabien Alexandre
Christophe Loustalot
Clement Gelin
Chris Farrell
Jackson Willison
Armand Batlle
Gio Aplon

Kiwi native Blake to make Scotland debut against Joe Schmidt’s Ireland

Kane Douglas back in the mix as Australia name side for All Blacks decider