Johann van Graan gives Cork's John Hodnett his Munster debut in PRO14
The Munster side to take on Southern Kings at Musgrave Park at 7.35pm tomorrow night in the Guinness PRO14 has been named.
Head Coach Johann van Graan hands a first start to first year Greencore Munster Rugby Academy man John Hodnett as the back-row forward makes his PRO14 debut.
Rosscarbery man Hodnett is a product of Clonakilty RFC, was a Grand Slam-winner with the Ireland U20s last season and has featured regularly for UCC this year.
Billy Holland captains the side on his 226th Munster appearance.
Full-back Mike Haley, Calvin Nash and Shane Daly make up the back three.
Dan Goggin and Chris Farrell are named as the centre partnership with Neil Cronin and JJ Hanrahan in the half-backs.
It is an all-international front row with James Cronin, Niall Scannell and John Ryan named in the starting XV.
Fineen Wycherley and Billy Holland start in the second row with Jack O’Donoghue, Hodnett and Arno Botha completing the side.
Two Academy players are among the replacements, prop Keynan Knox and out-half Ben Healy.
: Mike Haley; Calvin Nash, Chris Farrell, Dan Goggin, Shane Daly; JJ Hanrahan, Neil Cronin; James Cronin, Niall Scannell, John Ryan; Fineen Wycherley, Billy Holland (C); Jack O’Donoghue, John Hodnett, Arno Botha.
: Kevin O’Byrne, Jeremy Loughman, Keynan Knox, Gavin Coombes, Chris Cloete, Nick McCarthy, Ben Healy, Rory Scannell.
