Munster Rugby make four changes for big URC semi-final clash with Glasgow

THE Munster Rugby team has been named for the big United Rugby Championship semi-final against Glasgow Warriors at Thomond Park this Saturday (6pm).

Almost 18,500 tickets have already been snapped up for the high stakes game in Limerick with a huge crowd expected. 

There are four personnel changes and one positional switch to the side that beat Ospreys in last week’s quarter-final.

Mike Haley and Alex Nankivell come into the backline as Simon Zebo moves to the wing with Fineen Wycherley and Jack O’Donoghue starting in the pack.

Haley, Shane Daly and Zebo are named in the back three as Nankivell returns from an ankle injury to renew his centre partnership with Antoine Frisch.

Craig Casey and Jack Crowley are the starting half-backs for the fifth game in succession.

Jeremy Loughman, Niall Scannell and Stephen Archer pack down in an unchanged front row with Fineen Wycherley and captain Tadhg Beirne in the engine room.

Peter O’Mahony, John Hodnett and Jack O’Donoghue complete the side. Diarmuid Barron, John Ryan and Oli Jager provide the front row back-up.

RG Snyman, Gavin Coombes and Alex Kendellen complete the forward cover. Conor Murray and Seán O’Brien are the backline replacements.

On the injury front, Calvin Nash was unavailable due to a leg knock.

Meanwhile, Glasgow Warriors have named an unchanged starting XV from the team that beat DHL Stormers last Saturday for the trip to Limerick.

MUNSTER: Mike Haley; Shane Daly, Antoine Frisch, Alex Nankivell, Simon Zebo; Jack Crowley, Craig Casey; Jeremy Loughman, Niall Scannell, Stephen Archer; Fineen Wycherley, Tadhg Beirne (Capt); Peter O’Mahony, John Hodnett, Jack O’Donoghue. Replacements: Diarmuid Barron, John Ryan, Oli Jager, RG Snyman, Gavin Coombes, Conor Murray, Seán O’Brien, Alex Kendellen.

GLASGOW WARRIORS: Josh McKay, Sebastian Cancelliere, Huw Jones, Sione Tuipulotu, Kyle Steyn (Capt), Tom Jordan, George Horne, Jamie Bhatti, Johnny Matthews, Zander Fagerson, Scott Cummings, Richie Gray, Matt Fagerson, Rory Darge, Jack Dempsey. Replacements: George Turner, Oli Kebble, Murphy Walker, Max Williamson, Euan Ferrie, Henco Venter, Jamie Dobie, Ross Thompson.