Munster Can Expect Backlash

Munster can anticipate a backlash from Cardiff Blues’ defeat at home last weekend, their first at the Arms Park in 18 League matches, with their coach David Young declaring, “We can’t hide from that fact that our away record needs to improve. We won there last year so that does give us the confidence,”

” Perhaps last week was a little bit of a reality check and it was hugely disappointing,” continued Young. “We have to bounce back and get on the winning trail on Friday in Cork.”

The Blues’ coach has made four changes to the side, with centre Jamie Robinson returning from World Cup duty to replace Tal Selley while the other backline change sees Richie Rees in for Jason Spice at scrum-half.

Up front lock Bradley Davies takes over from Paul Tito and flanker Scott Morgan replaced by Mark Lewis.

Two of Munster’s RWC contingent Frank Sheahan and Alan Quinlan are recalled to the match day 22, – both named on the bench – and no surprise in that, given they replace two Academy players, Sean Cronin and Tommy O’Donnell

A third Academy player, try scorer in Rodney Parade Billy Holland, makes way for the more experienced  James Coughlan while this time around it’s Rua Tipoki’s who starts with Lifeimi Mafi on the bench alongside Holland.
 

Munster: Shaun Payne; Ian Dowling, Kieran Lewis, Rua Tipoki, Anthony Horgan; Paul Warwick, Tomas O’Leary; Federico Pucciariello, Denis Fogarty, Tony Buckley; Mark Melbourne, Mick O’Driscoll; James Coughlan, Niall Ronan, Anthony Foley capt. Replacements: Frank Sheahan, Darragh Hurley, Alan Quinlan, Billy Holland, Gerry Hurley, Jeremy Manning, Lifeimi Mafi.

Cardiff Blues: Ben Blair;  Jamie Roberts, Jamie Robinson, Dafydd Hewitt, Tom James; Nick Robinson, Richie Rees; John Yapp, Gareth Williams, Gary Powell; Bradley Davies, Robert Sidoli;  Scott Morgan, Robin Sowden-Taylor, Xavier Rush capt.
Replacements: Scott Roberts, Ross Johnson, Deiniol Jones, Ben White, Jason Spice, Nick Macleod, Rhys Williams.