Munster name team for Cardiff clash

Ian Keatley and Andrew Conway will make their first competitive starts of the season for Munster on Friday in the Guinness Pro12 clash against the Cardiff Blues in Cork.

They are the only changes from the side that beat Scarlets last weekend. Both changes are injury-enforced with Conway coming in for Simon Zebo who is out for five weeks with a fractured rib and Keatley starting instead of Tyler Bleyendaal who is out with a mild calf injury.

Munster’s current lack of cover for the out-half jersey is highlighted by the fact there is no recognised Number 10 on the bench. Johnny Holland’s retirement and injuries to Bleyendaal and Academy player Bill Johnston mean Munster look light on options in that position.

CJ Stander – who takes the place of fellow South African Jean Kleyn - is named on the bench but there is still no sign of Conor Murray, Keith Earls or Peter O’Mahony who are expected to be re-introduced over the coming weeks.

Duncan Casey is also on the bench and in line for his first appearance since last November while Stephen Fitzgerald is also included in the match day squad for the first time this season.

The game kicks off at 7.35pm and is live on TG4.

MUNSTER: Andrew Conway; Darren Sweetnam, Dan Goggin, Rory Scannell, Ronan O'Mahony; Ian Keatley, Duncan Williams; James Cronin, Niall Scannell, John Ryan; Dave Foley, Billy Holland (captain); Dave O'Callaghan, Tommy O'Donnell, Jack O'Donoghue. Replacements: Duncan Casey, Dave Kilcoyne, Brian Scott, Donnacha Ryan, CJ Stander, Tomás O'Leary, Cian Bohane, Stephen Fitzgerald.