Rugby

Munster v Stormers: Keith Earls to start at 13 as van Graan makes four changes

Home side look to make it two wins from two after a bonus point victory last weekend

Munster’s Keith Earls during training. Photo: Morgan Treacy/Inpho

Gerry Thornley's face
Gerry Thornley
Fri Oct 1 2021 - 12:12

United Rugby Championship: Munster v Stormers

Kick-off: 7.35pm, Saturday. Venue: Thomond Park. On TV: Live on RTÉ2 and Premier Sport.

Munster have made four changes to their starting line-up for Saturday’s round two game in the United Rugby Championship against the Stormers at Thomond Park.

Reflecting their surfeit of outside backs and current shortage at midfield with Damian de Allende on Springboks’ duty and Chris Farrell injured, Calvin Nash and Shane Daly start on either flank with Keith Earls drafted in at outside centre.

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The only change in the pack sees Keynan Knox start at tighthead prop.

Rory Scannell keeps his place at inside centre as Earls starts at 13 for the first time since January 2018, while Craig Casey and Joey Carbery continue their half-back partnership.

Stephen Archer and Jack O’Sullivan are in line to make their first appearances of the season off the bench. RG Snyman and Simon Zebo are also among the replacements, with Zebo set to make his 100th appearance in the league for Munster.

Tickets will be available to purchase online up until kick-off but will not be available to purchase at the Stadium on matchday. There are still tickets available for the East Stand, West Stand and North Terrace and supporters are advised to download, or print off, their tickets before they arrive at Thomond Park.

Munster: Mike Haley; Calvin Nash, Keith Earls, Rory Scannell, Shane Daly; Joey Carbery, Craig Casey; Dave Kilcoyne, Niall Scannell, Keynan Knox; Jean Kleyn, Fineen Wycherley; Peter O'Mahony (C), Jack O'Donoghue, Gavin Coombes.

Replacements: Diarmuid Barron, Jeremy Loughman, Stephen Archer, RG Snyman, Jack O'Sullivan, Rowan Osborne, Ben Healy, Simon Zebo.