Blow for Munster: O’Mahony and Murray both miss PRO12 final
Munster’s PRO12 hopes have been a dealt a blow with the news that captain Peter O’Mahony and half back Conor Murray will both miss Saturday’s final.
Murray’s absence did not come as a shock; the scrum-half is looking at six weeks rehabilitation for a medial ligament injury. There had been hopes that O’Mahony would recover from a hip injury in time to start, but he failed a late fitness test.
The good news is Simon Zebo has successfully completed his return-to-play protocols and will start on the left wing.
In total head coach Anthony Foley has made three changes to the starting line-up.
The only change in the front row sees BJ Botha come in to start alongside Dave Kilcoyne and Eusebio Guinazu. In the process Botha becomes the fifth Munster player this season to reach the century milestone.
Paul O’Connell is making what is widely predicted to be his final appearance in a Munster jersey in Belfast tomorrow. Billy Holland comes into the second row to partner O’Connell on his provincial swansong.
At six, Donnacha Ryan is the only change to the back row with Paddy Butler and CJ Stander completing the pack at seven and eight respectively.
In place of Murray, Duncan Williams join the half backs alongside Ian Keatley. In the midfield Andrew Smith continues his partnership with captain Denis Hurley, while Simon Zebo, Keith Earls and Felix Jones will again start in the back three.
Munster v Glasgow Warriors, Guinness PRO12 Final, Saturday May 30 at Kingspan Stadium - KO 6.30pm.
: Felix Jones; Keith Earls, Andrew Smith, Denis Hurley – capt., Simon Zebo; Ian Keatley, Duncan Williams; Dave Kilcoyne, Eusebio Guinazu, BJ Botha; Billy Holland, Paul O'Connell; Donnacha Ryan, Paddy Butler, CJ Stander.
: Duncan Casey, James Cronin, Stephen Archer, Sean Dougall, Jack O'Donoghue, Cathal Sheridan, JJ Hanrahan, Ronan O'Mahony.
:Stuart Hogg, Tommy Seymour, Richie Vernon, Peter Horne, DTH van der Merwe, Finn Russell, Henry Pyrgos; Gordon Reid, Dougie Hall, Rossouw de Klerk, Leone Nakarawa, Jonny Gray, Rob Harley, Ryan Wilson, Josh Strauss - capt.
: Fraser Brown, Jerry Yanuyanutawa, Jon Welsh, Al Kellock, Chris Fusaro, Niko Matawalu, Duncan Weir, Sean Lamont.
