All You Need To Know | Munster v Zebre
29th November 2020 By The Editor
Munster face Zebre next in the Guinness PRO14 as Johann van Graan’s side look to continue their strong start to the season that has seen the province win all six opening fixtures.
Find out all you need to know ahead of the game below.
A late change ahead of kick-off saw Academy lock Thomas Ahern come into the side for his first start as Fineen Wycherley dropped out due to a groin strain. Tommy O’Donnell was drafted into the replacements.
Where?
Thomond Park
When?
Monday, November 30, 8.15pm
Broadcast
Live on eir Sport 1, Premier Sports 2, DAZN & pro14.tv.
Match Programme
View today’s match programme by clicking on the link below.
Munster News
Gallery | This Week’s Training Pics
Did you know?
Four of the 15 Greencore Munster Rugby Academy players have already featured in the Guinness so far this season.
Preview
Munster have stormed into an 11-point lead at the top of Conference B despite having only played six matches – and will be aiming to stretch their unbeaten start at home to a side they have beaten in each of the teams’ 15 previous meetings.
Johann van Graan’s men saw off Glasgow Warriors 27-13 on their travels last time out and return to home turf where they have not been defeated in any tournament in 2020.
Zebre impressed with 23-17 victory over Ospreys earlier in November, but two thumping defeats at the hands of Ulster and Connacht in their most recent outings has left them bottom of Conference A.
Former Munster man Michael Bradley will be hoping his men can upset the odds and earn what would be only their second victory away at an Irish province, their first coming against Connacht in 2018.
More familiar faces in their ranks include former Munster lock Ian Nagle and his teammate at Leinster Mick Kearney, who also played almost 70 times for Connacht.
Teams
Munster: Matt Gallagher; Calvin Nash, Dan Goggin, Damian de Allende, Darren Sweetnam; JJ Hanrahan, Nick McCarthy; Josh Wycherley, Rhys Marshall, Stephen Archer; Fineen Wycherley, Billy Holland (c); Jack O’Donoghue, Chris Cloete, Gavin Coombes.
Replacements: Diarmuid Barron, Liam O’Connor, Keynan Knox, Thomas Ahern, Jack Daly, Craig Casey, Ben Healy, Seán French.
Zebre: Junior Laloifi; Giovanni D’Onorfrio, Giulio Bisegni, Enrico Lucchin, Pierre Bruno, Paolo Pescetto, Alessandro Fusco: Riccardo Brugnara, Marco Manfredi, Alexandru Tarus; Gabriele Venditti, Leonard Krumov; Mick Kearney, Alessandro Mordacci, Lorenzo, Masselli.
Replacements: Miassimo Ceciliani, Andrea Lovotti, Matteo Nocera, Andrea Chianucci, Oliviero Fabiani, Simone Marinaro, Alessandro Forcucci, Jamie Elliot.
Match Officials
Referee: Ben Whitehouse (WRU, 69th competition game)
Assistant Referees: Andrew Brace, Eoghan Cross (both IRFU)
TMO: Joy Neville (IRFU)
Videos
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