Munster A change nine

MUNSTER A coach Ian Costello makes nine changes to the team that beat the Ulster Ravens last Friday for today’s interprovincial against the Connacht Eagles at Dooradoyle (5pm).

The absence of number eight Paddy Butler, scrumhalf Peter Stringer and centres Danny Barnes and JJ Hanrahan suggests they will be required by the province’s senior coach Rob Penney for Saturday’s RaboDirect Pro 12 game against the Newport Gwent Dragons at Thomond Park.

Scrumhalf Cathal Sheridan takes over the captaincy of a match-day squad that includes academy, development contract and club players in James Murphy and Richie Mullane (Shannon), Neil Cronin (Garryowen) and Seán Rennison (UL Bohs).

Connacht are similarly stretched as several development players are required in Glasgow for a league match tomorrow night. The team contains Finlay Bealham and Conor Finn, who played for Ireland during June’s Under-20 World Cup in South Africa.

MUNSTER A: J Holland; R O’Mahony, C Hircock, C Bohane, D Moroney; S Deasy, C Sheridan (capt); D Kilcoyne, S Henry, J Ryan; P Donnellan, C O’Flaherty; B Hayes, B O’Mahony, S Buckley. Replacements: D Casey, J Cronin, C Condon, J Murphy, S Rennison, N Cronin, R Mullane, AN Other.

CONNACHT EAGLES: S Macauley; C Finn, J Harimate, F Gormley, M Healy; T Leader, M Walsh; F Bealham, K Haupt, JP Cooney; J Gardiner, D Qualter; TJ Anderson (capt), E Grace, D Heffernan. Replacements: P Reilly, J Dever, R Sweeney, C Kindregan, A Conneely, C Lilly, S Johnson, C Boland.