Mon. Feb 17th, 2025

Munster make five changes from Leinster defeat for trip to Cape Town 

Munster Rugby Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/James Crombie
Conor Murray is among the returnees for the first game of the South African tour 

Graham Rowntree has made five changes to the Munster squad to play the DHL Stormers on Saturday evening. John Ryan, Tom Ahern, Alex Kendellen, Conor Murray and Shane Daly all return to start in Cape Town. 

After a disappointing defeat to Leinster last weekend, further injuries in the squad and rotation from Rowntree mean we’re looking at a new-look Munster side with a rather inexperienced bench. John Ryan swaps places with Stephen Archer after the latter played the full 80 last weekend, while Jeremy Loughman is fit to start despite a blow to the face that saw him withdrawn early. 

Jean Kleyn and captain Tadgh Beirne pack down together at lock again, but with a new look back-row behind them. Waterford’s Tom Ahern and squad vice-captain Alex Kendellen both start in place of John Hodnett and Gavin Coombes, while Jack O’Donoghue shifts from blindside flanker to number eight. 

There’s a further switch at half-back with Conor Murray replacing Craig Casey, who is ruled out with a knock, while Jack Crowley goes again at 10. Shane Daly is back from his elbow injury to start on the left wing, with Alex Nankivell, Tom Farrell, Calvin Nash and Mike Haley all retained. 

Hooker Eoghan Clarke looks set for his first appearance of the season from the replacements bench, as Diarmuid Barron is ruled out under the Return-To-Play Protocols. Fineen Wycherley, Ethan Coughlan and Billy Burns also return to the squad, with Kieran Ryan, Stephen Archer, Ruadhán Quinn and Seán O’Brien rounding out the matchday squad. 

Munster will be keen to bounce back from last weekend in a stadium that brings back fond memories. If they are to replicate their 2023 URC Final victory over the same opposition, they will need a better showing at lineout time. Springbok flanker Ben-Jason Dixon is among the returnees from the home side, and he will be sure to be active in trying to negate Munster’s set-piece with his tall 6 foot 6 inch frame. 

Elsewhere, Damian Willemse gets the start at out-half, while former Exeter Chiefs and Ulster flanker Dave Ewers is among the substitutes. The DHL Stormers currently sit bottom of the United Rugby Championship table after four rounds, but this will not be easy for Munster, as the Cape Town side only lost one home game last season. 

Kickoff for Saturday’s game is at 5pm, and it is live on RTÉ 2, Premier Sports and URC TV. 

Munster: Mike Haley; Calvin Nash, Tom Farrell, Alex Nankivell, Shane Daly; Jack Crowley, Conor Murray; Jeremy Loughman, Niall Scannell, John Ryan; Jean Kleyn, Tadhg Beirne (C); Tom Ahern, Alex Kendellen, Jack O’Donoghue. 

Replacements: Eoghan Clarke, Kieran Ryan, Stephen Archer, Fineen Wycherley, Ruadhán Quinn, Ethan Coughlan, Billy Burns, Seán O’Brien. 

DHL Stormers: Warrick Gelant, Suleiman Hartzenberg, Ruhan Nel, Dan du Plessis (C), Leolin Zas; Damian Willemse, Paul de Wet; Sti Sithole, Joseph Dweba, Neethling Fouche; Adre Smith, JD Schickerling; Marcel Theunissen, Ben-Jason Dixon, Keke Morabe 

Replacements: 16 Andre-Hugo Venter, 17 Brok Harris, 18 Sazi Sandi, 19 Ruben van Heerden, 20 Dave Ewers, 21 Louw Nel, 22 Herschel Jantjies, 23 Jurie Matthee. 

Referee: Mike Adamson (SRU) 

AR 1: Aimee Barrett-Theron (SARU) AR 2: AJ Jacobs (SARU) 

TMO: Hollie Davidson (SRU)