Dragons v Munster, Rodney Parade (7.35, live on RTÉ, Premier Sports)
Ben O’Connor, a former Ireland under-20 international, makes his Munster debut in his eighth appearance after regular fullback Mike Haley underwent surgery on an ankle injury sustained in last weekend’s close Champions Cup defeat to the Northampton Saints.
Munster are without Tadhg Beirne, Jack Crowley, Conor Murray, Calvin Nash, and Peter O’Mahony, who are with the Ireland squad in Portugal, but they welcome back Shane Daly, who missed last week’s encounter.
The matchday squad includes four academy players, with hooker Danny Sheahan, a former Irish-20s player, poised to make his debut from the bench. Niall Scannell is following the return-to-play procedure and will miss out.
Right wing Diarmuid Kilgallen, who scored two tries against the Saints last week, will play his first URC game for the province. Last week, the former Roscrea and Connacht star showed Munster fans his potential. Billy Burns and Ethan Coughlan take over as halfbacks from Crowley and Murray.
Tom Ahern and Jack O’Donoghue are promoted to the run-on team, with the latter taking over as captain. Munster interim head coach Ian Costello has decided for a six-two bench split, with Paddy Patterson and Tony Butler covering the backline.
Lloyd Evans is one of six changes to the Dragons’ roster, joining Morgan Lloyd as a new halfback tandem. Jared Rosser returns to the wing, Harri Ackerman plays inside centre, and Aneurin Owen captains the team again, this time wearing the number 13.
Hooker Brodie Coghlan moves into the frontrow, while former Lions and Wales international flanker Dan Lydiate is designated openside and plays seven. Ryan Woodman moves to the second row to partner Joe Davies.
Filo Tiatia, the Dragons’ temporary head coach, stated, “Munster has some new coaches in place, and I like the way they play. They are playing more than they used to and pose a significant threat. Munster’s set piece has always been great; they have some powerful weapons, really skilled individuals, and are a quality squad.”
The key for the visitors is to justify their appreciation on the pitch. Munster played some excellent rugby at moments against the Saints, and they must maintain that spirit and shape, with no drops in focus or effort, in what will be a grueling contest against a physically demanding home side. If they do this, they will win.
Dragons lineup: H Anderson; R Dyer, A Owen, H Ackerman, J Rosser; L Evans, M Lloyd; R Martinez, B Coghlan, C Coleman; J Davies, R Woodman; S Lewis-Hughes, D Lydiate, T Basham. Replacements: J Benjamin, D Kelleher-Griffiths, P Latu, B Langton-Cryer, G Young, D Blacker, W Reed, and H Wilson.
Munster: B O’Connor; D Kilgallen, T Farrell, R Scannell, S Daly; B Burns, E Coughlan; D Bleuler, D Barron, O Jager; F Wycherley, T Ahern; J O’Donoghue (captain), A Kendellen, and G Coombes. Replacements: D Sheahan, K Ryan, J Ryan, E O’Connell, B Gleeson, P Patterson, T Butler, and J Hodnett.
Referee: G Gnecchi (Italy)
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