Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus has named his match-day 23 for Friday night’s round 16 Guinness PRO12 encounter against Scarlets at Thomond Park.
In making five changes to the side that grinded out the win against Ospreys last weekend this Friday’s game comes too soon for Jack O’Donoghue and Rory Scannell. O’Donoghue (ankle) and Scannell (knee) are expected to make a return to full training at some point next week.
On a positive front, Jaco Taute has made a full recovery from his shoulder knock sustained against Newport Gwent Dragons to start at fullback this weekend.
The only other change to the backline sees academy centre Dan Goggin take his place alongside Francis Saili in midfield.
In making his second PRO12 start, academy back row Conor Oliver makes his first appearance in the number 8 jersey as he joins Dave O’Callaghan and Tommy O’Donnell in the back three.
Tipperary lock Dave Foley links up with Billy Holland in the engine room as Stephen Archer takes his place in the front row scrumming down next to Rhys Marshall and Dave Kilcoyne.
In the replacements, Bantry native and first year academy lock Fineen Wycherley is included in his first Guinness PRO12 squad. The 19-year-old Young Munster player has made two starts for the Ireland U20s in this year’s 6 Nations campaign.
Finally, Ian Keatley and Andrew Conway return from Ireland camp to be named in the match-day 23.
Munster: Jaco Taute; Darren Sweetnam, Francis Saili, Dan Goggin, Ronan O’Mahony; Tyler Bleyendaal Capt., Duncan Williams; Dave Kilcoyne, Rhys Marshall, Stephen Archer; Dave Foley, Billy Holland; Dave O’Callaghan, Tommy O’Donnell, Conor Oliver.
Replacements: Kevin O’Byrne, Peter McCabe, Brian Scott, Darren O’Shea, Fineen Wycherley, Abrie Griesel, Ian Keatley, Andrew Conway.
Munster v Scarlets, Guinness PRO12 Round 16, Friday February 24th at Thomond Park, 7.35pm