Stephen Archer set for 100th Munster cap

Munster and the Newport Gwent Dragons both received good news yesterday as they prepare for their Guinness Pro12 clash at Thomond Park tonight.

Tighthead prop Stephen Archer, who has been ruled out of action since October because of a neck injury, will earn his 100th Munster cap when he comes off the bench while Simon Zebo has been made available by Ireland and starts on the left wing in place of Gerhard Van den Heever. There are three changes from the side that beat Treviso last week. In the pack, Niall Scannell and Tommy O’Donnell start at hooker and in the back-row in place of Mike Sherry and Robin Copeland.

The Dragons also have three alterations to the side which lost narrowly to Glasgow last week, most notably the return to the left wing of highly-rated 21-year-old Welsh international Hallam Amos. Head coach Lynn Davies is also enthused by the availability after injury of long serving number ten Jason Tovey who is partnered at half-back by Charlie Davies.