Munster make eight changes for trip to play Glasgow

Munster coach Anthony Foley has rung the changes to his league leading side for the Pro 12 clash with third-placed Glasgow at Scotstoun, changing eight of the side that lost to Clermont Auvergne in France last weekend.

There are five changes to the pack with hooker Kevin O'Byrne and tighthead Stephen Archer joining John Ryan in the frontrow.

Billy Holland replaces Dave Foley in the secondrow alongside Paul O'Connell while captain Peter O'Mahony is joined by Sean Dougall and Robin Copeland in the backrow.

The changes to the backline see Denis Hurley and Pat Howard return as the centre partnership with JJ Hanrahan making the positional switch to outhalf this week.

In the final change Johne Murphy starts at fullback and joins wingers Simon Zebo and Andrew Conway in the back three.

Ulster coach Neil Doak, has made two changes to the starting XV that lost narrowly to Scarlets at Parc y Scarlets last weekend for Saturday evening's clash against Ospreys at Liberty Stadium.

Michael Allen is named on the left wing and replaces Craig Gilroy who is rested for the match.

Andrew Warwick, who signed his first senior contract with the province this week, starts at loosehead with Callum Black, who signed a new three-year deal on Friday, selected on the bench.

Ireland centre, Stuart Olding, has recovered from injury and is named on the bench. Sean Reidy and Peter Nelson are also selected as replacements.

GLASGOW (v Munster, Saturday, Scotstoun Stadium, 2.40): Peter Murchie; Sean Lamont, Richie Vernon, Peter Horne, DTH van der Merwe; Finn Russell, Niko Matawalu; Gordon Reid, Fraser Brown, Euan Murray; Leone Nakarawa, Jonny Gray; Rob Harley, Tyrone Holmes, Josh Strauss (capt).

Replacements: Dougie Hall, Alex Allan, Jon Welsh, Tim Swinson, Ryan Wilson, Henry Pyrgos, James Downey, Tommy Seymour.

MUNSTER: Johne Murphy; Andrew Conway, Pat Howard, Denis Hurley, Simon Zebo; JJ Hanrahan, Conor Murray; John Ryan, Kevin O'Byrne, Stephen Archer; Billy Holland, Paul O'Connell; Peter O'Mahony (capt), Sean Dougall, Robin Copeland.

Replacements: Niall Scannell, Eusebio Guinazu, BJ Botha, Donncha O'Callaghan, Dave O'Callaghan, Duncan Williams, Ian Keatley, Felix Jones.

OSPREYS (v Ulster, Liberty Stadium, Saturday, 5.15pm): Dan Evans; Hanno Dirksen, Ashley Beck, Josh Matavesi, Eli Walker; Dan Biggar, Rhys Webb; Marc Thomas, Scott Baldwin, Dmitri Arhip; Rynier Bernardo , Alun Wyn Jones (capt); James King, Justin Tipuric, Tyler Ardron.

Replacements: Sam Parry, Gareth Thomas, Daniel Suter, Dan Lydiate, Sam Lewis, Martin Roberts, Sam Davies, Andrew Bishop.

ULSTER: Louis Ludik; Tommy Bowe, Darren Cave, Luke Marshall, Michael Allen; Ian Humphreys, Ruan Pienaar; Andrew Warwick, Rory Best (capt), Declan Fitzpatrick; Dan Tuohy, Franco vd Merwe, Robbie Diack, Clive Ross, Roger Wilson.

Replacements: Rob Herring, Callum Black, Bronson Ross, Alan O'Connor, Sean Reidy, Paul Marshall, Suart Olding, Peter Nelson.