With Glasgow Warriors overtaking Munster at the top of the GUINNESS PRO12, Anthony Foley’s men have an opportunity to answer back when they visit the Ospreys in the second of this weekend’s four Irish-Welsh clashes.
GUINNESS PRO12: Saturday, March 7
OSPREYS (5th) v MUNSTER (2nd), Liberty Stadium, 2.40pm (live Sky Sports 1 HD)
Team News: Munster head coach Anthony Foley has named his team to face the Ospreys at the Liberty Stadium in round 17 of the GUINNESS PRO12 today.
Denis Hurley is again named as captain while Donnacha Ryan is included in a matchday squad for the first time this season. In total, Foley makes just three changes to the side that defeated Glasgow Warriors at Irish Independent Park last weekend.
In the tight five, Dave Kilcoyne comes into the starting front row at loosehead prop alongside hooker Eusebio Guinazu and BJ Botha, while Donncha O’Callaghan and Billy Holland form the second row partnership for the fourth successive game.
The back row sees Dolphin clubman Dave O’Callaghan return at blindside flanker with Sean Dougall and CJ Stander continuing at openside and number 8 respectively.
There are no changes in the half-backs and midfield with Duncan Williams, Ian Keatley, skipper Hurley and Keith Earls all retaining their starting positions.
With JJ Hanrahan remaining in place at full-back, Felix Jones comes into the back-three on the right wing alongside Ronan O’Mahony on the opposite flank.
Following the successful rehabilitation of a right foot injury sustained against Benetton Treviso last March, the bench sees the welcome inclusion of Ryan in a Munster matchday 23 for the first time this season.
Meanwhile, Wales internationals Justin Tipuric and Ryan Bevington will make their 100th appearances for the Ospreys with the former captaining the side from the back row.
Tom Habberfield replaces Martin Roberts at scrum half alongside Sam Davies, who is fit to start after coming through the concussion protocols. The rest of the back-line is unchanged from the 9-9 draw with Leinster.
Dmitri Arhip makes way for Aaron Jarvis at tighthead prop while Fijian lock Tevita Cavubati, who injured his shoulder against Leinster, is replaced by Lloyd Peers in the second row. Tipuric slots back in at openside flanker with James King reverting to the blindside berth as Joe Bearman (groin) is currently sidelined.
As well as a number of injuries, the Ospreys are without Scott Baldwin, Alun Wyn Jones, Dan Lydiate, Rhys Webb and Dan Biggar due to international duty.
OSPREYS: Dan Evans; Tom Grabham, Jonathan Spratt, Josh Matavesi, Hanno Dirksen; Sam Davies, Tom Habberfield; Ryan Bevington, Scott Otten, Aaron Jarvis, Lloyd Peers, Tyler Ardron, James King, Justin Tipuric (capt), Dan Baker.
Replacements: Matthew Dwyer, Nicky Smith, Dmitri Arhip, Rory Thornton, Olly Cracknell, Morgan Allen, Martin Roberts, Ben John.
MUNSTER: JJ Hanrahan; Felix Jones, Keith Earls, Denis Hurley (capt), Ronan O’Mahony; Ian Keatley, Duncan Williams; Dave Kilcoyne, Eusebio Guinazu, BJ Botha, Donncha O’Callaghan, Billy Holland, Dave O’Callaghan, Sean Dougall, CJ Stander.
Replacements: Kevin O’Byrne, John Ryan, Stephen Archer, Donnacha Ryan, Jack O’Donoghue, Neil Cronin, Andrew Smith, Andrew Conway.
Referee: Marius Mitrea (Italy)
Assistant Referees: Sean Brickell, Simon Rees (both Wales)
Television Match Official: Simon McDowell (Ireland)
Match Odds (Paddy Power): Ospreys to win: Evens; Draw: 19/1; Munster to win: 8/11
Pre-Match Quotes: Denis Hurley (Munster) – “It’s been an enjoyable block of games so far. We’re now better at finding space on the field and in communicating with one another – we’re that bit crisper in what we do and we have a great belief in one another when we communicate on the field.
“The trust is there and that breeds confidence. It’s about getting that fine balance between keeping it narrow and going to the wider channels and when we get it right it works very well.
“I think this could be the toughest of the four tests. The Ospreys have a few of their players coming back from the Six Nations squad and we’ll have one or two coming back as well. Given the fact we’ve gathered some good momentum in this block of games so far, we owe it to ourselves to go over, put in a good performance and hopefully get the result, but it won’t be easy.
“They’re a very physical team with a strong defence so space is going to be limited. It’s about how we adapt to that and try to get in behind them to try and get scores.
“Away at the Liberty is always a tough place to play. First and foremost we need a good start, to match them physically and to do our best to keep on top, but a good start is crucial.”
Steve Tandy (Ospreys) – “This is a huge game for us having dropped out of the play-off spots last week. Munster are at the top of the table now and are a quality outfit, so we know that we are going to have to be at our best if we are going to get the performance level needed to ensure we stay in touch after this weekend.
“At the risk of repeating myself and stating the obvious, this is an absolutely crucial period as it always is, a month that can shape how the table looks come the end of the season. We’ve had some disappointments the last few games but I think week on week there have been clear improvements, to the extent that we should have had more from the Leinster match and were all disappointed at the final week.
“That disappointment has set the tone in training, there was a focus last week that we’ve carried through to this week, and preparation has been good.
“The players understand that this is a game where they have to front up, be they the youngsters in the squad or the older, more experienced heads who have a duty to provide the leadership we need on and off the field.
“If we can get the performance level right on Saturday, ensure that we are on top of the factors we can control, then we’ll be where we want to be. If the outcome of that is the win, then we’ll be in a healthy position for the end of season run-in.”
Top Scorers – 2014/15 GUINNESS PRO12: Ospreys – Points: Dan Biggar 115; Tries: Rhys Webb 7; Munster – Points: Ian Keatley 115; Tries: CJ Stander 6
RECENT LEAGUE MEETINGS:
Friday, May 11, 2012 – Semi-final – Ospreys 45 Munster 10, Liberty Stadium
Saturday, September 29, 2012 – Ospreys 30 Munster 15, Liberty Stadium
Saturday, March 2, 2013 – Munster 13 Ospreys 13, Thomond Park
Saturday, November 2, 2013 – Munster 12 Ospreys 6, Thomond Park
Sunday, February 23, 2014 – Ospreys 11 Munster 25, Liberty Stadium
Saturday, September 27, 2014 – Munster 14 Ospreys 19, Thomond Park
MATCH FACTS:
– The Ospreys’ only victory in their five GUINNESS PRO12 matches played in 2015 was 22-11 at home to the Newport Gwent Dragons in round 13
– The Welshmen are unbeaten at the Liberty Stadium in the league since Munster were the visitors on February 23 last year
– Munster’s 22-10 triumph over Glasgow Warriors took them to the top of the PRO12 table for the first time since round 9
– The Munstermen are unbeaten in their last four fixtures in the league since tripping up 24-16 at Connacht on New Year’s Day
– The province have lost on just one of their last seven visits to Wales, 18-13 at the Scarlets 12 months ago
– The Ospreys were 19-14 victors in Limerick in round 4 and are going for their first season’s double over the Munstermen since the 2011/12 season
– Munster’s record at the Liberty Stadium in all competitions is won three and lost eight
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