Dougall and Holland return with Munster A

Senior flanker Sean Dougall returns to active service with Munster’s A’s tonight facing Nottingham as Mick O’Driscoll’s men look to bounce back from last week’s defeat by Worcester.

Dougall hasn’t featured in the senior side’s back row since his 66 minutes against the Ospreys late last month but gets a place on the bench while Johnny Holland, who hasn’t been seen since a bang to the shoulder against Zebre in September, starts at 10.

In all, O’Driscoll makes five changes to the side that was deprived of victory at Sixways last week in the dying moments as he continues to balance experience with the promise of youth from the academy and sub-academy.

Alan Cotter and Niall Scannell have been joined in the front row by academy prop Rory Burke while Donncha O’Callaghan makes his second ‘A’ appearance of the season alongside Sean McCarthy in the second row.

Shane Buckley switches from the middle unit to the back where he lines up at six alongside fellow flanker Barry O’Mahony and captain Jack O’Donoghue who wears eight. Cathal Sheridan partners Holland in the cockpit.

Holland’s return sees Rory Scannell slide over to inside centre beside Dan Goggin, who steps up from the bench.

The back three has Stephen Fitzgerald at 15 with Ronan O’Mahony and Greg O’Shea on the wings.