Munster team to face Cardiff Blues

The Munster side has been named for Friday night’s Guinness PRO14 clash against Cardiff Blues at Irish Independent Park (7.35pm). It is the province’s final home game in Cork this season.

Peter O’Mahony captains the side and there are six changes to the team that started last week’s Champions Cup quarter-final win over Edinburgh.

Mike Haley, Tyler Bleyendaal, Kevin O’Byrne, Billy Holland, Chris Cloete and Arno Botha all come into the starting XV. Haley starts at full-back with Andrew Conway and Keith Earls on either flank as Rory Scannell and Chris Farrell continue their centre partnership. Conor Murray and Bleyendaal team up in the half-backs.

Dave Kilcoyne, O’Byrne and John Ryan pack down in the front row with Jean Kleyn and Holland in the engine room. A back-row of O’Mahony, Cloete and Botha complete the side.

Sammy Arnold returns from injury to take his place among the replacements and is set to make his first appearance since January.

Munster: Mike Haley; Andrew Conway, Chris Farrell, Rory Scannell, Keith Earls; Tyler Bleyendaal, Conor Murray; Dave Kilcoyne, Kevin O’Byrne, John Ryan; Jean Kleyn, Billy Holland; Peter O’Mahony (C), Chris Cloete, Arno Botha.

Replacements: Niall Scannell, Jeremy Loughman, Stephen Archer, Tadhg Beirne, CJ Stander, Alby Mathewson, JJ Hanrahan, Sammy Arnold.

 

Tickets are available to buy on Ticketmaster.ie, from the ticket offices in Irish Independent Park and Thomond Park, or by calling 061-421103.