O’Mahony And Cloete Return As Munster Make Four Changes
Munster head coach Johann van Graan has named his Champions Cup side to face Racing 92 at the U Arena in Paris on Sunday (kick-off 4.15pm local time/3.15pm Irish time).
The latest trio to sign two-year contracts with the province – Billy Holland, Stephen Archer and Kevin O’Byrne – are all included in the squad with Holland, the almost ever-present lock, and tighthead prop Archer among the starters.
The returning duo are two of four changes to the Munster side that beat Connacht 39-13 in Limerick last Saturday, with captain Peter O’Mahony and Chris Cloete named in the back row for Sunday’s round 5 encounter with the French outfit.
Archer joins Dave Kilcoyne and Rhys Marshall in the front row, as Holland resumes his partnership with Jean Kleyn in the second row. The pack is completed by a combative back row unit of O’Mahony, Cloete and number 8 CJ Stander.
The all-Ireland international back-line remains intact with Simon Zebo at full-back and Andrew Conway and Keith Earls on the wings. Rory Scannell partners Chris Farrell in midfield, and Ian Keatley, who has scored 37 points so far in the pool stages, and Conor Murray continue as the starting half-backs.
The aforementioned O’Byrne, James Cronin and John Ryan make up the front row replacements with prop Cronin in line for his first European appearance of the season. Darren O’Shea and Jack O’Donoghue complete the forward reserves, while Duncan Williams, JJ Hanrahan and Alex Wootton will provide the back-line cover.
MUNSTER (v Racing 92): Simon Zebo; Andrew Conway, Chris Farrell, Rory Scannell, Keith Earls; Ian Keatley, Conor Murray; Dave Kilcoyne, Rhys Marshall, Stephen Archer, Jean Kleyn, Billy Holland, Peter O’Mahony (capt), Chris Cloete, CJ Stander.
Replacements: Kevin O’Byrne, James Cronin, John Ryan, Darren O’Shea, Jack O’Donoghue, Duncan Williams, JJ Hanrahan, Alex Wootton.