MUNSTER BOSS GRAHAM Rowntree has been able to include Springboks second row RG Snyman in his starting XV to face Northampton in the Champions Cup on Sunday.
Snyman missed last weekend’s URC win over Cardiff due to illness but has recovered for this weekend’s Round of 16 tie at Franklin’s Gardens [KO 12.30pm, TNT Sports/ITV].
Having Snyman’s size, power, and skill available is a big boost for Munster, but they will be without Ireland international wing Calvin Nash who misses out with the leg injury he has been carrying since the Six Nations.
Nash’s absence has seen Rowntree opt for Simon Zebo on the right wing ahead of Seán O’Brien, who has been playing there in recent times. 34-year-old Zebo will bring experience to the Munster back three as they look to cause an upset in Northampton.
The Munster bench initially included tighthead prop John Ryan despite confirmation that he had been handed a three-game suspension after a disciplinary hearing this week in relation to a dangerous clearout against Cardiff last weekend.
Munster appealed Ryan’s ban but a new hearing this afternoon saw the three-game suspension upheld, so loosehead prop Mark Donnelly – who played at tighthead for the Ireland U20s – was named in the number 18 shirt instead, with tightheads Oli Jager and Roman Salanoa both currently injured.
Meanwhile, Northampton have been dealt injury blows with England fullback George Furbank and Scotland centre Rory Hutchinson ruled out of Sunday’s game.
James Ramm starts in the number 15 shirt and while England scrum-half Alex Mitchell is available again after injury, he is only named among the replacements.
Saints director of rugby Phil Dowson has been able to bring club captain Lewis Ludlam into his back row for the sold-out clash at the 15,000-capacity Franklin’s Gardens.
Munster:
- 15. Mike Haley
- 14. Simon Zebo
- 13. Antoine Frisch
- 12. Alex Nankivell
- 11. Shane Daly
- 10. Jack Crowley
- 9. Craig Casey
- 1. Jeremy Loughman
- 2. Niall Scannell
- 3. Stephen Archer
- 4. Tadhg Beirne (captain)
- 5. RG Snyman
- 6. Peter O’Mahony
- 7. John Hodnett
- 8. Gavin Coombes
Replacements:
- 16. Eoghan Clarke
- 17. Josh Wycherley
- 18. Mark Donnelly
- 19. Tom Ahern
- 20. Alex Kendellen
- 21. Conor Murray
- 22. Joey Carbery
- 23. Seán O’Brien
Northampton:
- 15. James Ramm
- 14. Tommy Freeman
- 13. Fraser Dingwall
- 12. Burger Odendaal
- 11. Ollie Sleightholme
- 10. Fin Smith
- 9. Tom James
- 1. Emmanuel Iyogun
- 2. Curtis Langdon
- 3. Trevor Davison
- 4. Alex Moon
- 5. Alex Coles
- 6. Courtney Lawes
- 7. Lewis Ludlam (captain)
- 8. Sam Graham
Replacements:
- 16. Sam Matavesi
- 17. Alex Waller
- 18. Paul Hill
- 19. Temo Mayanavanua
- 20. Angus Scott-Young
- 21. Juarno Augustus
- 22. Alex Mitchell
- 23. George Hendy
Referee: Mike Adamson [Scotland].
