Cronin, Kleyn And O’Mahony To Start For Munster
James Cronin, Jean Kleyn and Ronan O’Mahony are all included in Munster’s team to face Leinster, with Francis Saili in line to make his first appearance of the season if sprung from the bench.
New Zealander Francis Saili is fit to play in Monday’s GUINNESS PRO12 derby at Thomond Park (kick-off 5.30pm) after undergoing shoulder surgery at the end of last season.
The two changes in the pack see James Cronin join last week’s try scorer Niall Scannell and John Ryan in the front row, while big South African Jean Kleyn will partner Donnacha Ryan in the second row.
It is as you were with the all-international back row of captain Peter O’Mahony, Tommy O’Donnell and CJ Stander, and there is no change to the half-back pairing of Tyler Bleyendaal and Conor Murray.
Winger Ronan O’Mahony, who was the 24th man in Leicester last weekend, takes the place of Keith Earls in an otherwise unchanged back-line.
In supporting Munster’s nominated charities for this season, Diabetes Ireland and the Alzheimer Society of Ireland, one euro from each match programme sold at Munster’s St. Stephen’s Day encounter with Leinster will be donated to these worthy causes.
In keeping with previous years, the round 11 interprovincial fixture has been nominated as Munster’s official ‘Charity Match’. During half-time, representatives from Diabetes Ireland and Alzheimer Society of Ireland will each be presented with a signed Munster jersey.
Match programmes will be on sale at Thomond Park on matchday and cost €;5, with €;1 from each match programme sold donated to the respective charities.
MUNSTER (v Leinster): Simon Zebo; Darren Sweetnam, Jaco Taute, Rory Scannell, Ronan O’Mahony; Tyler Bleyendaal, Conor Murray; James Cronin, Niall Scannell, John Ryan, Jean Kleyn, Donnacha Ryan, Peter O’Mahony (capt), Tommy O’Donnell, CJ Stander.
Replacements: Rhys Marshall, Dave Kilcoyne, Stephen Archer, Billy Holland, Jack O’Donoghue, Duncan Williams, Francis Saili, Andrew Conway.