BILLY BURNS AND Alex Nankivell have both been ruled out of Munster’s URC trip to play Zebre tomorrow [KO 3pm, RTÉ/Premier Sports/URC TV].
Burns was a doubt for the fixture after injuring his shoulder in last weekend’s opening round win against Connacht, while Nankivell is unavailable having picked up a knock in training this week.
With Burns out, Tony Butler comes into the starting team as Graham Rowntree makes four personnel changes and three positional switches.
Butler, 22, starts just his fourth game for the province, with Craig Casey joining him in the half-backs.
The team to face @ZebreParma tomorrow ✊
— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) September 27, 2024
💯 100 caps for Gav
🪽Calvin & Thaakir on the wings
🎯 Tony at 10#SUAF 🔴| #ZEBvMUN🦓| @URCOfficial pic.twitter.com/EAw7lmgCOn
A rejigged backline sees Thaakir Abrahams switch to the left wing, while Tom Farrell moves across to inside centre and Shane Daly starts at outside centre.
Ireland international Calvin Nash returns on the right wing, while Mike Haley continues at fullback.
Josh Wycherley and Oli Jager both come into the Munster front-row, joining captain Diarmuid Barron.
An unchanged second row sees Jean Kleyn paired with Fineen Wycherley, while Ruadhán Quinn, John Hodnett and Gavin Coombes continues in the backrow, with Coombes set to make his 100th appearance for Munster.
On the Munster bench, Ireland scrum-half Conor Murray is set for his first appearance of the season, as are Jack Daly and Shay McCarthy.
Bryan Fitzgerald is also included among the replacements and could make his competitive debut for the province.
Munster:
- 15. Mike Haley
- 14. Calvin Nash
- 13. Shane Daly
- 12. Tom Farrell
- 11. Thaakir Abrahams
- 10. Tony Butler
- 9. Craig Casey
- 1. Josh Wycherley
- 2. Diarmuid Barron (capt)
- 3. Oli Jager
- 4. Jean Kleyn
- 5. Fineen Wycherley
- 6. Ruadhán Quinn
- 7. John Hodnett
- 8. Gavin Coombes
Replacements:
- 16. Niall Scannell
- 17. Jeremy Loughman
- 18. John Ryan
- 19. Jack Daly
- 20. Jack O’Donoghue
- 21. Conor Murray
- 22. Bryan Fitzgerald
- 23. Shay McCarthy
Zebre:
- 15. Geronimo Prisciantelli
- 14. Jacopo Trulla
- 13. Giulio Bertaccini
- 12. Luca Morisi
- 11. Simone Gesi
- 10. Giovanni Montemauri
- 9. Alessandro Fusco
- 1. Danilo Fischetti (capt)
- 2. Tommaso Di Bartolomeo
- 3. Matteo Nocera
- 4. Matteo Canali
- 5. Leonard Krumov
- 6. Davide Ruggeri
- 7. Samuele Locatelli
- 8. Giovanni Licata
Replacements:
- 16. Giampietro Ribaldi
- 17. Luca Rizzoli
- 18. Juan Pitinari
- 19. Andrea Zambonin
- 20. Giacomo Ferrari
- 21. Patricio Baronio
- 22. Scott Gregory
- 23. Giacomo Da Re
Referee: Hollie Davidson (SRU)
Wow. That’s brilliant. Well done Ciara.
Amazing run by Ciara. She looked so comfortable and when that gap opened there was no other winner. Sonia esque.
What confidence that will bring her for Paris.
Brilliant run. Well done Ciara you are unstoppable.
That was one of the greatest Irish runs of all time. No nonsense. Burst by people. Took no prisoners. Epic. Over the moon
Fabulous interview from Ciara.
Brilliant athlete, congrats to Ciara, fantastic run and well done to Sarah Healy too.
Ciara you are not just a brilliant runner, you are a lovely person. So delighted for you.
Congratulations Ciara, incredible run and a richly deserved European Gold, you are just fantastic.
Bloody Brilliant! Loved the interview afterwards.
Absolutely brilliant from Ceara, and spoke so well after the race. What a role model for the young people of Ireland. 2 gold medals so far and a huge opportunity tomorrow for more!
Mná na hÉireann ar fheabhas ar fad i sna cluichí go dtí seo, agus seans go mbeidh bonn nó dhó eile againn amárach! Dochreidte!
@Pádraig Ó Cathasaigh: thaispeáin sí díograis agus crógacht. Chomh bródúil asti
@An tEoghanach: is maith liom uathar reoite.
@Ray Ridge: Anabaì, ní raibh tú in ann an focal a litriú i gceart fiú.
Amazing run so happy for u and u family
Was there a more deserving athlete of success as Ciara after all the sacrifice and dissapointment over her long career…sometimes the most deserving do have the success they deserve….and such an zlrish Girl too
Congratulations Ciara fantastic run!! Irish athletics looking strong going into the Olympics. Great to see
Well done Ciara, you have done your country proud!! Brilliant victory!!
What an awful loss to Camóige ..:)