Munster eager to energise season with robust showing

Newport Gwent Dragons v Munster, Rodney Parade, Sunday, 2.30; Live S4C

Munster have has been curiously under the radar this season and a Sunday afternoon trek to Rodney Parade in front of the S4C cameras is another low-key fixture for which anything less than a win will be deemed unacceptable, all the more so in the wake of losing at home to Connacht for the first time in almost three decades.

Unlike Leinster and Ulster, Munster have yet to be tested in Europe – the postponement of their game in Stade Francais meaning their only European Champions Cup game to date saw them earn the minimum requirement of a bonus-point win at home to Treviso. And it's been a muted Pro12 campaign too, with five of their six wins being by a score, as has been the case with their two defeats. Last Saturday's rendezvous with Connacht was their first interpro derby outside the World Cup window and, to be truthful, Munster came up well short.

Given Anthony Foley’s demeanour in the immediate aftermath, it’s little surprise he has made nine changes.

Dave Kilcoyne and John Ryan return to the frontrow, and Dave Foley to the secondrow, while Shane Buckley makes his first start of the season, with Dave O’Callaghan coming back in at openside. Rory Scannell starts at outhalf for the first time this campaign, while fellow academy player David Johnston partners captain Denis Hurley for the second time this season. Simon Zebo and Ronan O’Mahony return on the wings, with Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino switching to fullback.

First brothers

With Niall Scannell retained at hooker, the Scannells will become the first brothers to start together for Munster in the Pro12.

With CJ Stander and Keith Earls rested, Foley’s options were further curtailed by the unavailability of both Andrew Conway and Jack O’Donoghue due to illness. Conor Murray and Donnacha Ryan were ruled out by foot and rib injuries, as well as Francis Saili with a calf strain and BJ Botha (concussion). Munster do expect Saili and Botha to return for next weekend’s huge European Cup game at home to Leicester.

As Zebo, Murray and Earls all attract covetous glances from abroad, following on from Stander’s recent contract extension there was a further positive development off the field for Munster yesterday with confirmation that Tommy O’Donnell has signed a new three-year deal.

The 28-year-old was in the shape and form of his life when his World Cup hopes were dashed by the serious hip injury he sustained in Ireland’s opening World Cup warm-up game against Wales in the Millennium Stadium. He is on course for a return in January and remains a potentially vital player for Munster.

Settled selection

As ever, though, this is probably a trickier fixture than it looks. The return of Boris Stankovich and captain Thomas Rhys Thomas at hooker, along with a new backrow and the recall of Dorian Jones at outhalf means the Dragons have a settled selection.

True, their only two wins to date have been at home to the Italian teams, although only Ulster have won at Rodney Parade this season due to the Welsh outfit having played five away games. Munster have won six and lost six in the league.

Judging by Foley’s demeanour last week and given the way history has shown how Munster react to a bad defeat, it would be a surprise if their intensity, defensive line speed and control of possession wasn’t noticeably better from the off.  Forecast: Munster to win.

DRAGONS: C Meyer; T Prydie, A Hughes, A Warren, A Hewitt; D Jones, S Pretorius; B Stankovich, T Rhys Thomas (capt), B Harris, M Screech, R Landman, L Evans, N Cudd, T Faletau. Replacements: R Buckley, P Price, L Fairbrother, C Hill, E Jackson, C Davies, J Tovey, R Wardle.

MUNSTER: L Gonzalez Amorosino; R O'Mahony, D Johnston, D Hurley (capt), S Zebo; R Scannell, T O'Leary; D Kilcoyne, N Scannell, J Ryan; D Foley, M Chisholm; S Buckley, D O'Callaghan, R Copeland. Replacements: K O'Byrne, J Cronin, M Sagario, B Holland, J Coghlan, C Sheridan, T Bleyendaal, G van den Heever.

Referee: G Conway (IRFU)