Munster Rugby side to face Bulls in Pretoria named

THE Munster Rugby side has been named for Saturday’s United Rugby Championship Round 14 clash against Vodacom Bulls at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria, 4.05pm Irish time, live on RTÉ2 TV.

There are six personnel changes and one positional switch to the side that lost to Northampton Saints in the Investec Champions Cup two weeks ago.

Calvin Nash, Shane Daly and RG Snyman start having missed out last time due to injury/illness with Conor Murray, Alex Kendellen and Jack O’Donoghue also coming into the starting XV.

Simon Zebo moves to full-back with Nash and Daly starting on either wing.

Alex Nankivell and Antoine Frisch continue their centre partnership with Murray and Jack Crowley in the half-backs.

Jeremy Loughman, Niall Scannell and Stephen Archer start in an unchanged front row with Snyman and captain Tadhg Beirne paired together in the engine room for the first time.

A back row of Peter O’Mahony, Kendellen and O’Donoghue complete the side. O’Donoghue makes his first start since New Year’s Day on his 197^th Munster appearance.

Eoghan Clarke, Josh Wycherley and Oli Jager, who returns from injury, provide the front row back-up.

Tom Ahern, Gavin Coombes and John Hodnett complete the forward cover. It will be the first game that Coombes hasn’t started this season.

Craig Casey and Joey Carbery are the backline replacements.

MUNSTER RUGBY: Simon Zebo; Calvin Nash, Antoine Frisch, Alex Nankivell, Shane Daly; Jack Crowley, Conor Murray; Jeremy Loughman, Niall Scannell, Stephen Archer; RG Snyman, Tadhg Beirne (C); Peter O’Mahony, Alex Kendellen, Jack O’Donoghue. Replacements: Eoghan Clarke, Josh Wycherley, Oli Jager, Tom Ahern, Gavin Coombes, Craig Casey, Joey Carbery, John Hodnett.