Five Munster A changes

Munster A are fighting for their lives in today’s British and Irish Cup tie with Moseley at Billesley Common (2pm).

With Worcester having taken firm control of Pool 3, these two sides are now battling to be one of the best runners up.

Munster coach Mike O’Driscoll has made five changes to the side which lost 18-23 to Worcester last Friday night in Cork. Liam O’Connor and Ger Sweeney are chosen in the front row on either side of Niall Scannell, while Shane Buckley moves to second-row, where he partners Dave O’Callaghan, with the experienced Sean Dougall also handed a start. In the absence of injured Johnny Holland, Rory Scannell is at out-half and partners Neil Cronin.

Ronan O’Mahony is named at full-back as Darren Sweetnam returns from injury. Good showings at club level also earns a number of players a place on the bench, including former Munster prop and current Highfield player/coach Tim Ryan, Shannon front row Conor Glynn, Shannon lock Lee Nicholas and Dolphin flanker John Quill.

MUNSTER A: R O’Mahony, G O’Shea, D Johnston, N Hodson, D Sweetnam; R Scannell, N Cronin; L O’Connor, N Scannell, G Sweeney; D O’Callaghan, S Buckley; S Dougall, R Murphy, J O’Donoghue (captain)

Replacements: M Abbott, C Glynn, T Ryan, L Nicholas, J Quill, J Cullen, G Lyons.