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Munster Make Four Changes Up Front

The Munster team to face Gloucester at Thomond Park in the second round of the Heineken Champions Cup on Saturday (kick-off 1pm) has been named by head coach Johann van Graan.

There are four changes, all in the pack, to the side that drew 10-all away to Exeter Chiefs in last Saturday’s Pool 2 opener. An all-new front row has been named with James Cronin, Rhys Marshall and John Ryan coming into the starting XV.

The second row pairing of Jean Kleyn and Tadhg Beirne is retained, while the final change sees Tommy O’Donnell join captain Peter O’Mahony and CJ Stander in the back row. Hooker Niall Scannell misses out after picking up a knock in training.

With Keith Earls still recovering from a hamstring injury, the province’s back-line remains the same with a back-three of Mike Haley, Andrew Conway and Darren Sweetnam. Dan Goggin and Rory Scannell form the centre partnership with Joey Carbery, who makes his first European start at Thomond Park, and Duncan Williams at half-back.

Kevin O’Byrne, Arno Botha and Alby Mathewson join the replacements bench with New Zealander Mathewson returning from the knee injury he sustained recently against Leinster. He played for Toulon in last season’s Champions Cup, while South African back rower Botha is a tournament newcomer.

In support of Munster Rugby’s nominated charity for the season, the Irish Cancer Society, the matchday squad will wear pink T-shirts during the warm-up for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. With over 22,000 tickets already sold for the game, the Ticket Office at Thomond Park will remain open until 7pm tonight and will be open from 9am tomorrow. Buy tickets for Munster v Gloucester online here.

MUNSTER (v Gloucester): Mike Haley; Andrew Conway, Dan Goggin, Rory Scannell, Darren Sweetnam; Joey Carbery, Duncan Williams; James Cronin, Rhys Marshall, John Ryan, Jean Kleyn, Tadhg Beirne, Peter O’Mahony (capt), Tommy O’Donnell, CJ Stander.

Replacements: Kevin O’Byrne, Dave Kilcoyne, Stephen Archer, Billy Holland, Arno Botha, Alby Mathewson, JJ Hanrahan, Sam Arnold.