Conway and casey start for munster

Head coach Anthony Foley has named his first European matchday squad as Munster begin their inaugural European Champions Cup campaign away to Sale Sharks at 1pm on Saturday.  

 

Seven changes are made to Munster's starting line-up that defeated Scarlets in last weekend's Guinness PRO12 action with hooker Duncan Casey and winger Andrew Conway making their first European starts for the province.    

 

In the second row Dave Foley resumes his partnership with Paul O'Connell as the Irish captain returns to the matchday squad, while the back-row of captain Peter O'Mahony, Tommy O'Donnell and CJ Stander remains unchanged. This weekend will also see Munster line out in their new adidas ERCC strip for the first time.

 

Meanwhile, Damien Varley has been ruled out of action for the time being after meeting with a specialist in London earlier this wee. It has been confirmed that the hooker requires further treatment on his left foot, and is provisionally scheduled to undergo surgery next week.

 

Munster: Felix Jones; Andrew Conway, Andrew Smith, Denis Hurley, Simon Zebo; Ian Keatley, Conor Murray; Dave Kilcoyne, Duncan Casey, Stephen Archer; Dave Foley, Paul O'Connell; Peter O'Mahony (capt), Tommy O'Donnell, CJ Stander. Replacements: Eusebio Guinazu, James Cronin, BJ Botha, Billy Holland, Robin Copeland, Duncan Williams, JJ Hanrahan, Gerhard van den Heever.