Team Named | Munster Side To Face Exeter Chiefs

September 10, 2021 10:56 am By The Editor

Jack O'Donoghue captains Munster against Exeter Chiefs. Inpho

A 31-man Munster squad has been named for Saturday’s pre-season clash with Exeter Chiefs at Sandy Park.

Jack O’Donoghue captains the side with Greencore Munster Rugby Academy back-row Alex Kendellen starting at no.8.

Mike Haley is named at full-back with Calvin Nash and Matt Gallagher completing the back three.

Rory Scannell and Dan Goggin start in midfield with a half-back pairing of Rowan Osborne and Ben Healy.

Jeremy Loughman, Niall Scannell and Keynan Knox pack down in the front row with Jean Kleyn and Thomas Ahern in the engine room.

O’Donoghue, Chris Cloete and Kendellen complete the starting XV.

An extended replacements bench includes Academy quartet Mark Donnelly, Cian Hurley, Paddy Kelly and Paddy Patterson.

Speaking ahead of the game, Munster Head Coach Johann van Graan said: “There’s real excitement to have a game like this ahead of us, playing a quality opposition such as Exeter Chiefs on their home turf in front of supporters.

“We are very much treating this as another step in our pre-season preparations, building towards our United Rugby Championship season kicking off.

“We’ve a good mix across the squad and for the younger guys this is going to be their first time playing at this level in front of a big crowd.

“With a group of 31 players we’ll be making plenty of changes as we look to get as many guys game-time as possible.”

Find out all you need to know ahead of the game here.

Munster: Mike Haley; Calvin Nash, Dan Goggin, Rory Scannell, Matt Gallagher; Ben Healy, Rowan Osborne; Jeremy Loughman, Niall Scannell, Keynan Knox; Jean Kleyn, Thomas Ahern; Jack O’Donoghue (C), Chris Cloete, Alex Kendellen.

Replacements from: Diarmuid Barron, Liam O’Connor, Josh Wycherley, Roman Salanoa, Mark Donnelly, Cian Hurley, Jack O’Sullivan, Paddy Kelly, Jack Daly, Neil Cronin, Paddy Patterson, Jack Crowley, Jake Flannery, Liam Coombes, Alex McHenry, Seán French.

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Report | Munster Beat Exeter In Pre-Season Clash

September 11, 2021 4:59 pm By The Editor

Alex Kendellen in action against Exeter. Inpho

Munster and Exeter Chiefs played out an entertaining pre-season clash in front of a big crowd at Sandy Park on Saturday afternoon..

It was a good Munster performance with all 31 players involved in front of a big crowd in Exeter. The Munster tries came from Rory Scannell, Calvin Nash (two), Neil Cronin and Roman Salanoa. Ben Healy and Jack Crowley added points off the tee.

Jack O’Donoghue captained the side with Greencore Munster Rugby Academy quartet Mark Donnelly, Cian Hurley, Paddy Kelly and Paddy Patterson all featuring.

The sides were level at 12-all after 40 minutes with both Munster tries coming off the back of well-worked lineout moves in the build-up. Scannell finished the first try well with Nash sprinting over from 15 yards for the second.

The visitors’ defending lineout was excellent throughout with Jack O’Donoghue and Thomas Ahern to the forefront in spoiling Exeter attacks.

Offloads from Ben Healy and Nash were instrumental as Neil Cronin scored the third Munster try on 54 minutes with the visitors making a raft of changes between 50 and 60 minutes.

An Exeter converted try off a rolling maul moved the hosts back in front at 19-17 but Munster took their chances to clinch the victory as Salanoa scored from close range and Nash showed his speed to outpace the cover defence to score the fifth.

Jack Crowley converted both to make it 31-17.

Next up for Munster is the United Rugby Championship opener against Sharks at Thomond Park in two weeks.

Munster: Mike Haley; Calvin Nash, Dan Goggin, Rory Scannell, Matt Gallagher; Ben Healy, Rowan Osborne; Jeremy Loughman, Niall Scannell, Keynan Knox; Jean Kleyn, Thomas Ahern; Jack O’Donoghue (C), Chris Cloete, Alex Kendellen.

Replacements (all used): Diarmuid Barron, Liam O’Connor, Josh Wycherley, Roman Salanoa, Mark Donnelly, Cian Hurley, Jack O’Sullivan, Paddy Kelly, Jack Daly, Neil Cronin, Paddy Patterson, Jack Crowley, Jake Flannery, Liam Coombes, Alex McHenry, Seán French.

Tries: Jack Innard, Jack Nowell, Rus Tuima

Cons: Sam Simmonds (two)

Tries: Rory Scannell, Calvin Nash (two), Neil Cronin, Roman Salanoa.

Cons: Ben Healy (one), Jack Crowley (two)

Exeter Chiefs: Josh Hodge; Jack Nowell, Tom Hendrickson, Ollie Devoto, Tom O’Flaherty; Joe Simmonds, Jack Maunder; Alec Hepburn, Jack Innard, Harry Williams; Will Witty, Sean Lonsdale; Jannes Kirsten, Don Armand, Rus Tuima.

Replacements: Jack Yeandle, Ben Moon, Sam Nixon, Ryan McCauley, Christ Tshiunza, Sam Hidalgo-Clyne, Harvey Skinner, Ian Whitten, Jordan Poole, Billy Keast, Josh Iosefa-Scott, Aaron Hinkley, Will Yarnell, Iwan Jenkins, Sean O’Brien, Facundo Cordero.