Hayes to start in his last outing for Munster
A start for John Hayes in his last Munster game represents one of 11 changes to Tony McGahan’s starting XV from last weekend for the St. Stephen’s Day RaboDirect PRO12 meeting with Connacht in Thomond Park.
Just four players - Keith Earls, Simon Zebo, Donncha O'Callaghan and Niall Ronan remain in situ after the Scarlets game while four more - Conor Murray, Ronan O'Gara, Paul O'Connell and Donnacha Ryan are unavailable on account of the Irish player management programme.
Hayes will win his 217th Munster cap when he starts this one alongside the other Munster front rower, Marcus Horan, who has also reached the 200th cap mark and in front of the next two - Donncha O'Callaghan and skipper Mick O'Driscoll who are in line to join the elite 200 club.
The experience up front is contrasted by a youthful backline where Sean Scanlon makes his senior debut at full back while Luke O'Dea who scored on his debut against Edinburgh last month is named on the wing.
Munster: S Scanlon; L O'Dea, K Earls, D Barnes, S Zebo; I Keatley, T O'Leary; M Horan, D Fogarty, J Hayes; D O'Callaghan, M O'Driscoll capt; B Holland, N Ronan, P Butler. Replacements: S Henry, D Kilcoyne, BJ Botha, I Nagle, J Coughlan, D Williams, S Deasy, T Gleeson.
