IRELAND INTERNATIONAL TRIO Donnacha Ryan, Tommy O’Donnell and Felix Jones have all been released from Ireland camp to take their places in Munster’s starting XV for Sunday’s RaboDirect Pro12 clash with the Ospreys [KO 4.00pm].
O’Donnell was a replacement in both of the national team’s opening Six Nations matches, but Joe Schmidt has opted to give Jordi Murphy an opportunity in that role against England tomorrow. Ryan’s comeback from a knee injury had led to speculation that he would be included on that bench too, but Iain Henderson is the back-up lock instead.
Munster head coach Rob Penney includes Ryan in his team to face the Ospreys, with James Downey coming into the side in the centre and Dave Foley getting the nod in the second row. Andrew Conway starts on the right wing, while Ian Keatley moves into out-half after playing at inside centre against Zebre last weekend.
Casey Laulala is selected at outside centre, while Sean Dougall makes his first start since December at openside flanker.
Meanwhile, Connacht head coach Pat Lam has made three changes to his team ahead of Sunday’s encounter away to Zebre [KO 4.30pm Irish time], with the promising Darragh Leader in at fullback and Dan Parks replacing the injured Craig Ronaldson at out-half.
The only other new face is academy player Eoghan Masterson, who starts at openside flanker in Italy, having made his Connacht debut at No. 8 back in November. There are two alterations on the bench, with prop Finlay Bealham and out-half Miah Nikora involved.
Robbie Henshaw has traveled with the Ireland squad to Twickenham to provide injury cover for tomorrow’s Six Nations clash with England.
Elsewhere, Ulster have selected Ruan Pienaar at out-half for their away tie against Benetton Treviso on Sunday [KO 2.00pm Irish time], with the South African partnering Paul Marshall at halfback.
Darren Cave moves to outside centre as Luke Marshall starts at 12, while Ricky Lutton is at tighthead in a front row that also includes Rob Herring and Tom Court. Johann Muller captains the team and is joined at lock by Lewis Stevenson, with Robbie Diack, Sean Doyle and Roger Wilson forming the back row.
Michael Allen, Craig Gilroy and Jared Payne complete the team in the back three positions, and Mark Anscombe’s bench selection includes some exciting talent in the shape of Rory Scholes, Ricky Andrew, Niall Annett and Michael Heaney.
Munster (v Ospreys): Felix Jones; Andrew Conway, Casey Laulala, James Downey, Simon Zebo; Ian Keatley, Cathal Sheridan; James Cronin, Duncan Casey, BJ Botha; Donnacha Ryan, Dave Foley; Tommy O’Donnell, Sean Dougall, James Coughlan (capt).
Replacements: Ger Slattery, Dave Kilcoyne, Stephen Archer, Donncha O’Callaghan, CJ Stander, Duncan Williams, JJ Hanrahan, Denis Hurley.
Connacht (v Zebre): Darragh Leader; Tiernan O’Halloran, Eoin Griffin, Dave McSharry, Fionn Carr; Dan Parks, Kieran Marmion; Denis Buckley, Jason Harris-Wright, Rodney Ah You; Michael Swift, Mick Kearney; Andrew Browne, Eoghan Masterson, John Muldoon (capt.).
Replacements: Dave Heffernan, Finlay Bealham, JP Cooney, Aly Muldowney, George Naoupu, Paul O’Donohoe, Miah Nikora, Danie Poolman.
Ulster (v Treviso): Jared Payne; Craig Gilroy, Darren Cave, Luke Marshall, Michael Allen; Ruan Pienaar, Paul Marshall; Tom Court, Rob Herring, Ricky Lutton; Johann Muller (capt.), Lewis Stevenson; Robbie Diack, Sean Doyle, Roger Wilson.
Replacements: Niall Annett, Callum Black, Adam Macklin, Neil McComb, Mike McComish, Michael Heaney, Ricky Andrew, Rory Scholes.
