Munster name side to face La Rochelle

Munster coach Tony McGahan named his starting XV for this weekend’s game against La Rochelle, after the squad had trained this morning. However the Aussie head coach did not list the replacements because he intends using all of the squad that travelled, with the exception of Duncan Williams, BJ Botha and Doug Howlett, in the course of the game.

Williams is recovering from a slight groin strain but is expected to be involved in the game next week against London Wasps, along with Howlett and Botha. The issue with Williams plus the absence of Tomas O’Leary and Conor Murray necessiatated the inclusion of Gerry Hurley and the Cork Con scrum-half starts tomorrow night outside Garryowen’s Declan Cusack. There’s a familiar enough look to the pack with the exception of Dave O’Callaghan who is named at blindside wing-forward. A crowd of 10,000 is expected to turn up to Stade Marcel Deflandre in La Rochelle on Friday when Munster open their season against the French Division 2 side.