GRAHAM ROWNTREE HAS SELECTED HIS Munster team Thursday's big game against a South Africa XV at Páirc Úi Chaoimh.
Munster team
Seven changes to the side that lost to Ulster at Thomond Park last month.
The sell-out game of 41,400 supporters in Cork will be the largest-ever attendance at a rugby game in the province.
Jack O'Donoghue captains the Munster side, which sees Ben Healy joined by scrum-half Paddy Patterson in the half-backs.
Antoine Frisch makes his first start of the season.
Simon Zebo starts on the wing, while Edwin Edogbo and Kiran McDonald make up a youthful second row.
Cian Hurley and Patrick Campbell start on the bench
Rory Scannell and his brother Niall Scannell are the only two players in this squad who played in Munster’s last game against a touring side, the Maori All Blacks, in 2016.
The game starts at 7.30pm. You can watch it live on Virgin Media 2 tomorrow.
Munster's team
Fullback: 15: Mike Haley
Winger: 14: Shane Daly,
Centres: 13: Antoine Frisch, 12.Rory Scannell,
Winger: 11: Simon Zebo;
Out half: 10. Ben Healy, Scrumhalf, 9. Paddy Patterson
Front row: 1 Josh Wycherley, 2. Diarmuid Barron, 3. Roman Salanoa
Second row: 4. Edwin Edogbo, 5. Kiran McDonald
Backrow: 6. Jack O’Donoghue (C), 7. John Hodnett, 8. Gavin Coombes.
Replacements: Niall Scannell, Liam O’Connor, Keynan Knox, Cian Hurley, Alex Kendellen, Neil Cronin, Patrick Campbell, Malakai Fekitoa.
📢 TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT | The Munster side has been named for tomorrow's historic game against South Africa Select XV, in association with @Pinergy, at Páirc Uí Chaoimh.
Jack O’Donoghue captains Munster with 3 Academy players included.
Team news ⤵️
#MunsterInThePáirc #SUAF 🔴— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) November 9, 2022
South Africa XV
The Bok's have named 14 capped Springbok players in his squad for the game tomorrow
Jean-Luc du Preez, Elrigh Louw, Ruan Nortje, Jason Jenkins and the entire front row of Du Toit, Ntuthuko Mchunu and Joseph Dweba
Du Toit will captain the team.
Dan du Preez, Sikhumbuzo Notshe and Grant Williams start on the bench
There is other interesting selections in the side, which can be found below.
Head coach: Mzwandile Stick said: "They are one of the top club teams and they balance their physicality with exciting backline play, so we are going to be tested thoroughly.
“That said, we have named an equally exciting team and we have a number of leaders in core positions. Every one of our players will also want to make the most of this opportunity to throw their names in the hat for World Cup selection, which will serve as an extra motivational factor to showcase their talent.”
South Africa XV:
Fullback: 15: Aphelele Fassi
Winger: 14: Suleiman Hartzenberg
Centres: 13: Henco van Wyk, 12. Cornal Hendricks
Winger: 11: Leolin Zas
Out half: 10.Herschel Jantjies , Scrumhalf, 9.Johan Goosen
Front row: 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu 2, Joseph Dweba , 3, Thomas du Toit (C)
Second row: 4. Jason Jenkins 5. Ruan Nortje
Backrow: 6. Phepsi Buthelezi 7. Elrigh Louw, 8. Jean-Luc du Preez
Replacements: 16 Andre-Hugo Venter, 17 Simphiwe Matanzima, 18 Sazi Sandi, 19 Dan du Preez, 20 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 21 Grant Williams, 22 Sanele Nohamba, 23 Gianni Lombard
Experienced Test players lining up with some of the best young talent in the country - what's not to like about the South Africa 'A' team? More here: https://t.co/zxSlVdPIjk 🤩#StrongerTogether #StrongerForever pic.twitter.com/ScO8ti612g
— Springboks (@Springboks) November 7, 2022