Bulls bring out the big guns for Limerick face-off
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White is fielding his ‘best available’ selection, as they switch focus to the United Rugby Championship.
The Bulls, third on the URC standings, arrived in Limerick for a Round 15 face-off with a very powerful Munster outfit.
The team show six changes from the combination that lost to Edinburgh in a Challenge Cup quarterfinal last week.
The most significant change is at flyhalf, where Johan Goosen gets his first start after his return from injury, having played off the bench last week.
Another Springbok returning to the starting XV is Canan Moodie on the left wing, in place of Stravino Jacobs.
Sebastian de Klerk returns on the right wing in place of Sergeal Petersen.
Jan-Hendrik Wessels starts at loosehead prop ahead of Simphiwe Matanzima, and Cobus Wiese returns at the expense of JF van Heerden to partner captain Ruan Nortje in the second row.
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* Meanwhile, there are four changes to the Munster side that faced Bordeaux-Begles last week, as Seán O’Brien, Niall Scannell, Tom Ahern and Alex Kendellen all come into the side.
Hooker Lee Barron is included among the replacements having joined Munster ahead of schedule on loan this week.
Diarmuid Kilgallen is included among the replacements having resumed training this week and is set for his first appearance since February.
Thaakir Abrahams continues at fullback with O’Brien and Andrew Smith on either wing.
The midfield and halfback partnerships are unchanged as Alex Nankivell and Tom Farrell start in midfield with Craig Casey (No.9) and Jack Crowley (No.10) in the halfbacks.
Josh Wycherley, Niall Scannell and Oli Jager pack down in the front row, with Jean Kleyn and captain Tadhg Beirne in the engine room.
Ahern, Peter O’Mahony and Kendellen complete the side.
Lee Barron, Mark Donnelly, Stephen Archer, Fineen Wycherley, Jack O’Donoghue and Academy flank Ruadhán Quinn provide the forward cover.
Conor Murray and Kilgallen are the backline replacements.
Gavin Coombes, Calvin Nash (both ankle), Diarmuid Barron (shoulder/arm) and John Hodnett (toe) were unavailable after sustaining injuries in Bordeaux.
Teams
Munster: 15 Thaakir Abrahams, 14 Seán O’Brien, 13 Tom Farrell, 12 Alex Nankivell, 11 Andrew Smith, 10 Jack Crowley, 9 Craig Casey, 8 Alex Kendellen, 7 Peter O’Mahony, 6 Tom Ahern, 5 Tadhg Beirne (captain), 4 Jean Kleyn, 3 Oli Jager, 2 Niall Scannell, 1 Josh Wycherley.
Replacements: 16 Lee Barron, 17 Mark Donnelly, 18 Stephen Archer, 19 Fineen Wycherley, 20 Jack O’Donoghue, 21 Conor Murray, 22 Diarmuid Kilgallen, 23 Ruadhán Quinn.
Bulls: 15 Devon Williams, 14 Sebastian de Klerk, 13 David Kriel, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Canan Moodie, 10 Johan Goosen, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Cameron Hanekom, 7 Jannes Kirsten, 6 Marcell Coetzee, 5 Ruan Nortje (captain), 4 Cobus Wiese, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Akker van der Merwe, 1 Jan-hendrik Wessels.
Replacements: 16 Johann Grobbelaar, 17 Simphiwe Matanzima, 18 Mornay Smith, 19 JF van Heerden, 20 Nizaam Carr, 21 Izak Burger, 22 Keagan Johannes, 23 Stravino Jacobs.
Date: Saturday, April 19
Venue: Thomond Park, Limerick
Kick-off: 17.15 (18.15 SA time; 16.15 GMT)
Referee: Andrea Piardi (France)
Assistant referees: Andrew Cole (Ireland), Sam Holt (Ireland)
TMO: Stefano Roscini (Italy)
