Strong Munster A Squad Named

Munster A Head Coach Mick O’Driscoll has named a 22-man squad for Saturday afternoon’s Interprovincial game against Leinster A at Donnybrook, ko 1pm.

O’Driscoll’s side features a mix of youthful academy talent combined with the experience of some of Munster’s leading players, including Donncha O’Callaghan, Ivan Dineen, Ronan O’Mahony and Johne Murphy who are all named in gaining valuable game time.

Senior players Alan Cotter and Kevin O’Byrne pack down alongside tight-head academy prop Rory Burke in the front row.

While in the second row Donncha O’Callaghan brings a wealth of experience to the Munster pack and he renews his pre-season partnership with the academy’s Sean McCarthy. O’Callaghan and McCarthy will team up for the second time this season having done so already in a preseason friendly away to Gloucester.

Senior squad members Shane Buckley and Barry O’Mahony take responsibility for the flanks with former Ireland U20’s captain and academy number 8 Jack O’Donoghue completing the back row. O’Donoghue made impressive appearances for Munster in his first two Guinness PRO12 encounters this season and will captain the side.

The mixture of experience and emerging talent is again illustrated in the half-backs as Cathal Sheridan partners academy out-half David Johnston. Johnston featured for Munster in both of this year’s pre-season friendlies against Gloucester and London Irish.

While academy back Rory Scannell joins Ivan Dineen in mid-field and the all-senior back three sees Luke O’Dea and Ronan O’Mahony on the wings with Johne Murphy named at full back.

Munster A: Johne Murphy; Ronan O’Mahony, Ivan Dineen, Rory Scannell, Luke O’Dea; David Johnston, Cathal Sheridan; Alan Cotter, Kevin O’Byrne, Rory Burke; Donncha O’Callaghan, Sean McCarthy; Shane Buckley, Barry O’Mahony, Jack O’Donoghue (Capt.).

Replacements: Max Abbott, Eusebio Guinazu, John Madigan, Ryan Murphy, Jamie Glynn, Dan Goggin, Alex Wootton.