Gaffney makes four Munster team changes

MUNSTER coach Alan Gaffney has made four changes to the team to take on Newcastle Falcons at Thomond Park on Monday at 7.00pm.

Munster, clearly in experimental mode, lost out to London Irish at the same venue on Tuesday, and Gaffney has resisted making major alterations.

The province will, however, be boosted by the return of Shaun Payne on the right wing, while newcomer James Storey makes his first start for the province, in the centre.

Mike Prendergast is back in a starting position at scrum-half, and youngster Donnacha Ryan comes into the second-row. Munster will choose from a group of nine substitutes which include regulars Mikey Mullins and Rob Henderson and, interestingly, Irish U21 player Shane O’Connor in the troubled second row position.

MUNSTER: C. Cullen, S. Payne, J. Storey, J. Holland, A. Horgan, P. Burke, M. Prendergast, G. McIlwham, J. Flannery, M. Storey, T. Hogan, D. Ryan, S. Keogh, J. Williams, D. Leamy. Replacements from M. McPhail, M. Mullins, R. Henderson, M. Lawlor, E. Reddan, J. O’Connor, S. O’Connor, J. Blaney, E. McGovern.