BIG GAME, BIG occasion and the big guns return for Munster.
Anthony Foley has made seven changes to his side for Saturday’s highly anticipated European Champions Cup game against Clermont Auvergne at Thomond Park.
As expected, Dave Foley, Paul O’Connell, Peter O’Mahony, Conor Murray and Simon Zebo return after their exploits on the international stage. Tommy O’Donnell and Felix Jones also start after coming off the bench during last week’s Pro12 victory over Ulster.
Despite the return of Munster’s luminaries, Foley has stuck with the same front three for the visit of the French heavyweights with Dave Kilcoyne, Duncan Casey and BJ Botha getting the nod.
In the back-line, the return of Zebo means Gerhard van der Heever switches to the opposite wing with Jones completing the back three.
Kevin O’Byrne, who is named among the replacements, could make his European debut while prop James Cronin is a notable inclusion after recovering from an ankle injury.
Munster have won their opening two games and currently sit top of Pool 1 but the back-to-back fixtures against Clermont could go along way to determining the final standings.
Clermont are hot on their heels but were beaten at Saracens in round one. Wesley Fofana and Aurélien Rougerie will start in midfield for the visitors but Welsh centre Jonathan Davies is only named among the substitutes.
Kick-off is at 5.30pm tomorrow and the game is live on Sky Sports 2.
Munster:
15. Felix Jones
14. Gerhard van den Heever
13. Pat Howard
12. Denis Hurley
11. Simon Zebo
10. Ian Keatley
9. Conor Murray
1. Dave Kilcoyne
2. Duncan Casey
3. BJ Botha
4. Paul O’Connell
5. Dave Foley
6. Peter O’Mahony (capt)
7. Tommy O’Donnell
8. CJ Stander
Replacements:
16. Kevin O’Byrne
17. James Cronin
18. Stephen Archer
19. Billy Holland
20. Sean Dougall
21. Duncan Williams
22. JJ Hanrahan
23. Johne Murphy
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