Temporary home comforts a boon for Munster A

MUNSTER A will set down in another temporary home at Nenagh tonight (7.30pm) for the second of their British and Irish Cup assignments against top English side Bristol.

It has been Munster’s policy to bring the team around the province for various matches and that has proved to be a huge success this season; all of them have attracted sizeable attendances.

Coach Anthony Foley expects it to be no different tonight and he said the advantage of playing in front of a big attendance for such an important fixture could not be underestimated.

“It didn’t take us long to figure out that it was a good move to bring games around; it gives the players a boost and it gives fans an opportunity to see the quality of player coming through the ranks,” he said.

But he is not relying on support alone as Munster seek to stretch an unbeaten record. He is conscious that the team will have to be at their best to overcome Bristol, who are well positioned to make an immediate return to the Guinness Premiership next season, and who began this cup campaign with an away win to Neath.

“I suppose it’s a bit like going into the unknown; we haven’t much information on them but we would expect that we will have to on top of our form to get a positive result,” he said.

The Munster side shows six changes from the side that started in the successful opener against Coventry. Danny Riordan, Billy Holland and Tommy O’Donnell return after missing out through injury or illness.

Elsewhere, sub-Academy player Simon Zebo comes onto the wing for Ireland A call-up Denis Hurley, scrum-half Conor Murray replaces the injured Duncan Williams while another sub-Academy player, Dave Kilcoyne, comes into the front-row in place of Julien Brugnaut.

Elsewhere, Girvan Dempsey starts at full back for Leinster A against Cornish Pirates at Donnybrook today (4pm).

There is a first start for hooker Richardt Strauss after making his Leinster debut last weekend. Strauss is named in an experienced pack which is bolstered by Kevin McLaughlin and Devin Toner who are named after impressing for Ireland A in their recent win over Tonga.

Paul Ryan comes into the back-row to partner Stephen Keogh and McLaughlin, while Niall Morris and Dominic Ryan are named on a strong replacements bench. In all there are nine Leinster Academy players in the squad as well as six recent graduates.

One of the youngsters in the squad, Jack McGrath, relished the opportunity to get a run in Plymouth last week and looks forward to another game of high intensity today.

“It was a different standard that we’re normally used to and it was definitely a learning experience to scrum against 26- or 27-year-old professionals. It will be another challenge to face the Cornish Pirates. We’ve analysed a good few of their last few games and they’re an accomplished side with a lot of experience.”

Dan Tuohy and Darren Cave have been included in the Ulster Ravens team for their game away to Moseley tonight (7.30pm)

The two have been released by Ireland and Tuohy will feature in the second row while Cave is named in the replacements. A number of changes have been made from the team that gained victory over the Bedford Blues at Ravenhill last weekend. In the pack, the changes come in the front row; Nigel Brady replaces Andy Kyriacou as hooker, while Declan Fitzpatrick moves to loose head with Adam Macklin at tight head.

The backs see only one change, with Ulster academy player Jamie Smith replacing Clinton Schifcokske at full back.