MUNSTER HEAD COACH Johann van Graan has rung the changes for Friday’s United Rugby Championship meeting with Benetton at Musgrave Park [KO 7.35pm, TG4, Premier Sports 2, URC TV].
Van Graan has made eight changes to the team that lost to the Lions in Johannesburg last weekend, as Musgrave Park prepares to host a Munster senior game for the first time since the pandemic began two years ago.
Ireland internationals Craig Casey and Gavin Coombes both come straight back into the starting team having returned from Six Nations camp, while Matt Gallagher, Rory Scannell, Simon Zebo, Ben Healy, Diarmuid Barron and Stephen Archer also come into the side.
Gallagher starts at fullback with Shane Daly and Zebo named on the wings.
Scannell partners de Allende in midfield as the Springbok international switches to outside centre, while Casey lines out with Healy in the half-backs.
Josh Wycherly contines at loosehead, with Barron and Archer completing the front row, while Jean Kleyn and Fineen Wycherley are named together in the second row for the seventh successive game.
Jack O’Donoghue captains the side in the number six shirt, and is joined by John Hodnett and Coombes in the back row.
On the bench, Leinster-bound Jason Jenkins is set to make his second Munster appearance after recovering from an abdomen injury.
Munster (v Benetton)
15. Matt Gallagher
14. Shane Daly
13. Damian de Allende
12. Rory Scannell
11. Simon Zebo
10. Ben Healy
9. Craig Casey
1. Josh Wycherley
2. Diarmuid Barron
3. Stephen Archer
4. Jean Kleyn
5. Fineen Wycherley
6. Jack O’Donoghue (captain)
7. John Hodnett
8. Gavin Coombes
Replacements:
16. Scott Buckley
17. Jeremy Loughman
18. Keynan Knox
19. Jason Jenkins
20. Jack O’Sullivan
21. Neil Cronin
22. Jake Flannery
23. Chris Farrell
Benetton: Andries Coetzee, Ratuva Tavuyara, Joaquin Riera, Tommaso Menoncello, Rhyno Smith, Tomas Albornoz, Dewaldt Duvenage (CAPT), Ivan Nemer, Tomas Baravalle, Nahuel Tetaz, Irnè Herbst, Carl Wegner, Sebastian Negri, Manuel Zuliani, Toa Halafihi.
Replacements: Matteo Drudi, Matteo Drudi, Simone Ferrari, Niccolò Cannone, Matteo Meggiato, Callum Braley, Giacomo Da Re, Tommaso Benvenuti
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