Bleyendaal To Start For Munster ‘A’

Former New Zealand U20 captain Tyler Bleyendaal is in line to make his first appearance for the province after being named at 10 for tomorrow’s Interprovincial Series clash between Munster ‘A’ and the Ulster Ravens at Naas RFC – KO 3pm.

The former Canterbury player linked up with the squad in late January and on arrival continued to rehab a prolapsed disc. In completing his rehabilitation programme the 24 year old met with the specialist last week where he was cleared for selection.

Elsewhere, Head Coach Mick O’Driscoll fields a mixture of senior, academy and club talent with a number of players representing Munster ‘A’ for the first time.

In the front row Cork Constitution’s Liam O’Connor and Dolphin’s Peter McCabe start on either side of Niall Scannell while the academy’s John Madigan will make his third consecutive start when partnering Shannon’s Frank Bradshaw Ryan in the second row.

Academy number 8 Jack O’Donoghue will once again captain the side from the back row, partnering Dave O’Callaghan at 6 and ‘A’ debutant Conor Oliver at 7. The St Mary’s College player has previously represented Leinster at age grade level and was yesterday included in the Ireland U20 squad for the 2015 Junior World Cup in June.

Cathal Sheridan partners Bleyendaal in the half backs with Dan Goggin and David Johnston forming an all-academy midfield, while Darren Sweetnam completes the academy representation in the starting line-up, joining Luke O’Dea and Johne Murphy in the back three.

The bench sees JP Phelan (UCD), Olly Lyons (Exiles) and Robbie Deegan (Shannon) included in a Munster ‘A’ side for the first time.

Munster A: Johne Murphy; Darren Sweetnam, David Johnston, Dan Goggin, Luke O’Dea; Tyler Bleyendaal, Cathal Sheridan; Liam O’Connor, Niall Scannell, Peter McCabe; John Madigan, Frank Bradshaw Ryan; Dave O’Callaghan, Conor Oliver, Jack O’Donoghue – capt.

Replacements: Luke O’Halloran (Young Munster), Niall Horan (Academy), JP Phelan (UCD), Lee Nicholas (Shannon), Diarmaid Dee (Young Munster), Olly Lyons (Exiles), Neil Cronin (Garryowen), Gearoid Lyons (Academy), Robbie Deegan (Shannon), Alex Wootton (Academy), Diarmuid McCarthy (Young Munster).

Munster ‘A’ v Ulster Ravens, Wednesday April 29^th at Naas RFC – KO 3pm.

Please note: there is free admission for this game.

For updates follow @munsterrugby on Twitter #MunA