Munster change things for London Irish tie
Munster coach Tony McGahan has made several changes to his starting line-up for Saturday’s Heineken Cup dead rubber against London Irish at Thomond Park, kick-off 3.30pm.
There are three enforced absentees; Donnacha Ryan who tweaked a hamstring in last Sunday’s defeat in Toulon, Paul Warwick who suffered a heavy knock in that game and Sam Tuitupou who picked up a hamstring injury in training this week.
Tomás O’Leary, who was dropped from the national squad this week, is preferred to Peter Stringer at scrum-half. Johne Murphy moves to full back in Warwick’s absence with Denis Hurley filling the vacant wing spot.
Mick O'Driscoll will partner Paul O'Connell as lock Donncha O’Callaghan drops to the bench.
Coach McGahan has opted to promote Niall Ronan to the backrow in place of James Coughlan. Ronan moves to openside flanker with David Wallace filling the blindside spot.
Munster: J Murphy; D Howlett, K Earls, L Mafi, D Hurley; R O'Gara, T O'Leary; W du Preez, D Varley, J Hayes; M O'Driscoll, P O'Connell; D Wallace, N Ronan, D Leamy capt.
Replacements: M Sherry, D Hurley, T Buckley, D O'Callaghan, J Coughlan, P Stringer, S Deasy, T Gleeson.
