Copeland And Smith Start For Munster

Head Coach Anthony Foley has rung the changes for Friday night’s SEAT Challenge against London Irish at the Waterford RSC, ko 7.30pm.

With senior players returning to the fold and additional players available for selection Foley has made nine changes to the starting XV that suffered defeat to Gloucester last weekend.

This week’s squad is bolstered by the return of four of Munster’s Emerging Ireland representatives, Billy Holland, Sean Dougall, Robin Copeland and Johne Murphy. Both Copeland and Australian centre Andrew Smith will make their first appearance for the province on Friday night.

Stephen Archer features in his first match-day squad since sustaining a neck injury in March and he is joined by last weekend’s replacements John Ryan and Kevin O’Byrne in the all new front row.

In the second row Billy Holland starts next to Captain Donncha O’Callaghan as Sean McCarthy moves to the replacements, and with Robin Copeland starting at 8 CJ Stander switches to blindside with Sean Dougall completing the back-row.

Cathal Sheridan starts this week in place of Duncan Williams while Andrew Smith and Johne Murphy are also included in the backline. Cian Bohane moves to inside centre with Smith making his first start for Munster at 13. Darren Sweetnam and Ronan O’Mahony retain their places on the wings with Johne named at fullback.

Duncan Casey makes a timely return from his shoulder rehabilitation and is named in the extended replacements.

Munster: Johne Murphy; Ronan O’Mahony, Andrew Smith, Cian Bohane, Darren Sweetnam, Johnny Holland, Cathal Sheridan, John Ryan, Kevin O’Byrne, Stephen Archer, Donncha O’Callaghan Capt., Billy Holland, CJ Stander, Sean Dougall, Robin Copeland. Replacements: Ger Slattery, Duncan Casey, Alan Cotter, BJ Botha, Sean McCarthy, John Madigan, Shane Buckley, Barry O’Mahony, Duncan Williams, David Johnston, Ivan Dineen, Rory Scannell.

Tickets
There are a limited number of tickets currently available to buy online here, from the Ticket Offices in Musgrave Park and Thomond Park, and from the Ticketmaster van outside the Cork Road entrance at the RSC on Friday – subject to availability.