Rugby – Munster name side to face Connacht

In making the final changes to the starting XV Ian Keatley and Duncan Williams are introduced at half-back and Shane Monahan makes his first Munster appearance on the wing. Gerhard van den Heever, Matt D’Arcy, Cian Bohane and David Johnston are all as they were.

Munster supporters will be excited at the prospect of seeing new signing Francis Saili in action if sprung from the bench on Friday night. The All Black arrived at the end of July and is included in his first Munster squad.

Following on from his successful Munster debut last week 18-year-old out-half Bill Johnston is once again named in the replacements in a week that saw him receive his CAO offer of International Business in UL.

The new adidas alternate Munster Rugby kit will be worn for the first time tomorrow night in Thomond Park.

On the injury front it has been confirmed that Denis Hurley has sustained ankle ligament damage. He will continue to be assessed by the medical team but is expected to be side-lined for approximately 8 to 10 weeks.

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Munster: David Johnston; Shane Monahan, Cian Bohane, Matt D’Arcy, Gerhard van den Heever; Ian Keatley, Duncan Williams; James Cronin, Mike Sherry, Stephen Archer; Sean McCarthy, Dave Foley; Dave O’Callaghan, Jack O’Donoghue, CJ Stander Capt.

Replacements from: Kevin O’Byrne, John Ryan, BJ Botha, Donncha O’Callaghan, Shane Buckley, Cathal Sheridan, Bill Johnston, Francis Saili, Niall Scannell, John Madigan, Jordan Coghlan, Stephen Fitzgerald.

Connacht:

15 – 9: Darragh Leader, Tiernan O’Halloran, Rory Parata, Bundee Aki, Matt Healy, Jack Carty, Kieran Marmion

1 – 8: JP Cooney, Tom McCartney, Rodney Ah You, Ultan Dillane, Andrew Browne, John Muldoon (captain), Nepia Fox-Matamua, Eoghan Masterson

Replacements: Finlay Bealham, Dave Heffernan, Nathan White, Quinn Roux, Ben Marshall, Eoin McKeon, George Naoupu,
John Cooney, Craig Ronaldson, Danie Poolman, Dave McSharry