Frisch returns as Rowntree makes three changes to Munster side for URC quarter-final

Antoine Frisch returns from a leg injury to make his 40th Munster appearance in the only change to the backline.

RETURNING MAN: Munster's Antoine Frisch. Pic: James Crombie, Inpho

Antoine Frisch returns from injury for Munster’s URC quarter-final clash with Ospreys at Thomond Park on Friday night as the defending champions promote John Hodnett and Gavin Coombes to the starting back row.

Frisch, set to depart Munster and join Toulon this summer in order to pursue his ambition to play for France, missed last Saturday’s 29-24 win at home to Ulster in the final game of the regular season. 

The French-born, Irish-qualified centre has recovered from the leg injury which kept him sidelined last weekend and returns to outside centre for his 40th Munster cap and 38th start as head coach Graham Rowntree is forced to reshuffle his midfield partnership once more. 

Alex Nankivell remains absent with an ankle injury sustained at Edinburgh on May 17 with Sean O’Brien partnering Rory Scannell in a new combination against Ulster.

Scannell’s serious ankle injury in that bonus-point win means O’Brien moves to inside centre as Frisch reclaims the number 13 spot.

Hodnett moves in at openside flanker having returned from injury off the bench last time out. He replaces Alex Kendellen, who moves to the bench, as does Jack O’Donoghue, vacating the No.8 berth for Coombes.

The bench selection also marks a return for hooker Diarmuid Barron for his first appearance since the December 26 game with Leinster, when a foot injury sidelined the Tipperary front-rower for five months.

There are more enforced changes among the replacements as Munster cover the losses of both lock Tom Ahern and fly-half Joey Carbery, both of whom were ruled out following injuries against Ulster. 

Rowntree has switched from a six forwards, two backs split to five and three with academy fly-half Tony Butler replacing Carbery while Mike Haley takes the number 23 jersey to cover the outside backs.

Ospreys make one change from their 33-29 derby victory at Cardiff last Saturday, a win which earned them eighth place in the final standings at the expense of South Africa’s Lions.

It comes at fly-half where Dan Edwards is replaced by the more experienced Wales international Owen Williams.

“We’ve got ourselves to this window of opportunity and we’re excited about it,” Ospreys head coach Toby Booth said. 

“But we won’t underestimate how tough the game will be. Like us, Munster have got a tight group, with a lot of quality in it, and that makes them a very dangerous opponent.” 

MUNSTER: S Zebo; C Nash, A Frisch, S O’Brien, S Daly; J Crowley, C Casey; J Loughman, N Scannell, S Archer; RG Snyman, T Beirne - captain; P O’Mahony, J Hodnett, G Coombes.

Replacements: D Barron, J Ryan, O Jager, J O’Donoghue, A Kendellen, C Murray, T Butler, M Haley.

OSPREYS: M Nagy; L Morgan, O Watkin, K Williams, K Giles; O Williams, R Morgan-Williams, N Smith, D Lake, T Botha; J Ratti, H Sutton; J Morgan, J Tipuric - captain, M Morris. 

Replacements: S Parry, G Thomas, R Henry, V Sekekete, M Morse, L Davies, L Scully, H Houston.