Ryan Melrose-Bound With Munster’s British & Irish Cup Side
Returning from the suspension he picked up during the GUINNESS Series, Donnacha Ryan will start for Munster in their British & Irish Cup Pool B encounter with Melrose in the famous Scottish Borders town on Saturday (kick-off 2pm).
Donnacha Ryan will partner Billy Holland, who skippers the Munster side, in the second row. He will start in the absence of Ian Nagle who misses out through illness.
Dave Foley, who featured in all of Munster’s games in last season’s British & Irish Cup, makes his return from injury on the replacements bench.
Another player back from a spell on the sidelines is centre/winger Danny Barnes who was stretchered off in Munster’s pool defeat to Llanelli in Waterford back in October.
Barry Murphy and Peter Borlase also feature in the starting line-up, adding to the number of senior squad members in Anthony Foley’s selection.
Shannon hooker Duncan Casey is a notable inclusion amongst the replacements. He is set for his first taste of British & Irish Cup action.
Foley’s charges need to take something of this match if they are to maintain their interest in reaching the knockout stages of this season’s competition.
MUNSTER (v Melrose): Scott Deasy (Cork Constitution); Danny Barnes (Dolphin), Tom Gleeson (Cork Constitution), Ivan Dineen (Cork Constitution), Barry Murphy (UL Bohemians); Declan Cusack (Garryowen), Conor Murray (Garryowen); Dave Ryan (Dolphin), Sean Henry (UL Bohemians), Peter Borlase (unattached), Billy Holland (Cork Constitution) (capt), Donnacha Ryan (Shannon), David O’Callaghan (Dolphin), Tommy O’Donnell (UL Bohemians), Paddy Butler (Shannon).
Replacements: Duncan Casey (Shannon), Stephen Archer (Cork Constitution), Dave Foley (UL Bohemians), Kieran Essex (UL Bohemians), Cathal Sheridan (UL Bohemians), Troy Smith (Midleton), Sean Scanlon (Cork Constitution).