McGahan names young side for Italian trip

Munster coach Tony McGahan has named a youthful side ahead of Sunday’s Magners League match away to Treviso, kick-off 2pm.

Munster have been hit hard by international call-ups and will be without the likes of Ronan O’Gara, Tomás O’Leary, Paul O’Connell, Donncha O’Callaghan, Denis Leamy and David Wallace for the trip to Italy.

McGahan has selected young fullback Scott Deasy and has paired Doug Howlett and Cork Constitution flyer Simon Zebo on the wings.

Tom Gleeson links up with Lifeimi Mafe in the centre while Paul Warwick partners Duncan Williams at half-back. UL Bohemians scrum-half Cathal Sheridan, who is in the Munster academy is named on the bench.

The experienced Damien Varley starts at hooker and is flanked by young props Darragh Hurley and Stephen Archer.

Dave Foley gets a rare start in the second row alongside Ian Nagle with Tommy O’Donnell, Billy Holland and James Coughlan forming the backrow.

Munster: S Deasy; D Howlett, T Gleeson, L Mafi, S Zebo; P Warwick, D Williams; Darragh Hurley, D Varley, S Archer; I Nagle, D Foley; B Holland, T O'Donnell, J Coughlan.

Replacements: M Sherry, W du Preez, P Borlase, M O'Driscoll, D Ryan, C Sheridan, S Tuitupou, Denis Hurley