JOHANN VAN GRAAN has included Ireland international Joey Carbery on Munster’s bench for tomorrow’s Guinness Pro14 clash with the Cheetahs at Thomond Park [KO 5.15pm, eir Sport/Premier Sports/SuperSport].
22-year-old out-half Carbery joined Munster from Leinster this summer and had been expected to sit out the opening round of the Pro14 as part of the IRFU’s player management policy but has been made available.
His possible debut off the bench against the Cheetahs will be of keen interest to Munster fans.
Van Graan has also named four debutants in his starting team, with new fullback Mike Haley, Springbok-capped back row Arno Botha, academy back Shane Daly and Garryowen scrum-half Neil Cronin set to make their Munster bows.
Haley is joined by Darren Sweetnam and Ireland Sevens international Daly in the back three, while Rory Scannell and Dan Goggin form the midfield partnership.
Cronin, a standout in the AIL in recent seasons, will partner JJ Hanrahan in the halfbacks, while number eight Botha is joined in the back row by Tommy O’Donnell and Dave O’Callaghan.
Billy Holland captains the team from the second row, where he will be alongside Jean Kleyn, as Dave Kilcoyne, Mike Sherry and John Ryan make up a strong-looking front row.
Included on the bench alongside Carbery is academy back row Gavin Coombes, who impressed in pre-season for Munster.
Meanwhile, Benhard Janse van Rensburg, Tian Schoeman, Luan de Bruin, JP du Preez, Walt Steenkamp, Aidon Davis and Ryno Eksteen will all make their Pro14 debuts for the Cheetahs in Limerick.
Munster:
15. Mike Haley
14. Darren Sweetnam
13. Dan Goggin
12. Rory Scannell
11. Shane Daly
10. JJ Hanrahan
9. Neil Cronin
1. Dave Kilcoyne
2. Mike Sherry
3. John Ryan
4. Jean Kleyn
5. Billy Holland (captain)
6. Dave O’Callaghan
7. Tommy O’Donnell
8. Arno Botha
Replacements:
16. Rhys Marshall
17. Brian Scott
18. Stephen Archer
19. Darren O’Shea
20. Gavin Coombes
21. James Hart
22. Joey Carbery
23. Sammy Arnold
Cheetahs:
15. Malcolm Jaer
14. Rabz Maxwane
13. Benhard Janse van Rensburg
12. Nico Lee
11. William Small-Smith
10. Tian Schoeman
9. Shaun Venter
1. Ox Nche
2. Jacques du Toit
3. Luan de Bruin
4. Justin Basson
5. JP du Preez
6. Junior Pokomela
7. Oupa Mohoje (captain)
8. Jasper Wiese
Replacements:
16. Joseph Dweba
17. Charles Marais
18. Aranos Coetzee
19. Walt Steenkamp
20. Aidon Davis
21. Tian Meyer
22. Ernst Stapelberg
23. Ryno Eksteen
Referee: Dan Jones [WRU].
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