Munster hopefuls will take centre stage against Zebre

Former Leinster centre Collie O’Shea will partner Cian Bohane in Munster’s midfield tomorrow night as Rassie Erasmus begins his search for willing alternatives to the injured Francis Saili.

Erasmus yesterday unveiled his first selection as the province’s new director of rugby, naming a 29-player matchday squad as his three-year reign begins with a pre-season warm-up against Guinness Pro12 rivals Zebre at Waterford RSC.

Having thrown down the gauntlet to the centres within his existing squad to fill the breach in the wake of Saili’s second shoulder surgery of the summer last Monday, ruling out the New Zealander for up to four months, Erasmus will first run the rule over Bohane at outside centre, almost two years to the day since he ruptured his knee on the same ground.