Sherry to start for munster in connacht friendly
Head Coach Anthony Foley has named his side to take on Connacht in Thomond Park on Friday night with hooker Mike Sherry named to start for the first time since November 2013.
Side-lined for 21 months Sherry has undergone an extended period of rehabilitation and recovery due to an initial knee injury and recurring shoulder issues that have ruled him out until now.
It is with great relief to see Mike, a player who 'did think the shoulder would be career threatening at times', involved in Munster's pre-season programme and named in Friday's squad. The Limerick-man will scrum down with Emerging Ireland returnees James Cronin and Stephen Archer in the front row.
With Axel rotating his options available to him Dave Foley is the only forward to retain his starting place this week and he is joined by academy lock Sean McCarthy in the second row.
While in the back-row Dave O'Callaghan is another returning from injury after successfully rehabbing a knee injury sustained in April. He is joined by last year's Academy Player of the Year Jack O'Donoghue and Player of the Year CJ Stander who takes over the captaincy duties for the first time.
In making the final changes to the starting XV Ian Keatley and Duncan Williams are introduced at half-back and Shane Monahan makes his first Munster appearance on the wing. Gerhard van den Heever, Matt D'Arcy, Cian Bohane and David Johnston are all as they were.
Munster supporters will be excited at the prospect of seeing new signing Francis Saili in action if sprung from the bench on Friday night. The All Black arrived at the end of July and is included in his first Munster squad.
Following on from his successful Munster debut last week 18-year-old out-half Bill Johnston is once again named in the replacements in a week that saw him receive his CAO offer of International Business in UL.
The new adidas alternate Munster Rugby kit will be worn for the first time tomorrow night in Thomond Park.
On the injury front it has been confirmed that Denis Hurley has sustained ankle ligament damage. He will continue to be assessed by the medical team but is expected to be side-lined for approximately 8 to 10 weeks.
Munster: David Johnston; Shane Monahan, Cian Bohane, Matt D'Arcy, Gerhard van den Heever; Ian Keatley, Duncan Williams; James Cronin, Mike Sherry, Stephen Archer; Sean McCarthy, Dave Foley; Dave O'Callaghan, Jack O'Donoghue, CJ Stander Capt.
Reps: Kevin O'Byrne, John Ryan, BJ Botha, Donncha O'Callaghan, Shane Buckley, Cathal Sheridan, Bill Johnston, Francis Saili, Niall Scannell, John Madigan, Jordan Coghlan, Stephen Fitzgerald.