Munster Rugby Vs. Vodacom Bulls: Lineups, Previews And Match Details
Munster Rugby Vs. Vodacom Bulls: Lineups, Previews And Match Details
Munster named debutant Lee Barron in revamped lineup to face the Vodacom Bulls in a URC clash at Thomond Park. Stream it live Saturday on FloRugby.
Munster will aim to shift gears from European disappointment to United Rugby Championship urgency, while welcoming South Africa’s Bulls to Thomond Park on Saturday, with debutant hooker Lee Barron among several changes to the matchday squad.
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Still reeling from last weekend’s 47-29 Champions Cup quarterfinal loss to Bordeaux-Begles, interim head coach Ian Costello has rung the changes for a fixture crucial to Munster’s hopes of securing a URC playoff berth.
With just four rounds remaining in the regular season, the fifth-place province sits precariously within the top 8, only nine points clear of 14th-place Lions.
Barron, recently signed on loan from Leinster ahead of a permanent summer switch, has been fast-tracked into the squad following a shoulder injury to Diarmuid Barron. The 23-year-old will begin on the bench, while Niall Scannell steps up to start between Josh Wycherley and Oli Jager in the front row.
Costello has made four changes and one positional switch from the side that battled valiantly but ultimately fell short in France.
The coaching staff had hinted earlier in the week at rotation following two physically punishing Champions Cup ties, and Munster’s hand has been further forced by a string of injuries.
Loosehead prop Jeremy Loughman potentially is out for the season with a hamstring injury suffered in the La Rochelle victory, while key players Gavin Coombes, Calvin Nash and John Hodnett have all been ruled out following knocks sustained in Bordeaux.
In their absence, the Munster back row undergoes a reshuffle.
Alex Kendellen is promoted from the bench to start at No. 8, Tom Ahern moves into the XV at blindside flanker and captain Peter O’Mahony switches from No. 6 to openside flanker.
Nash’s absence opens the door for the in-form Sean O’Brien to start on the right wing, with Diarmuid Kilgallen returning to the bench after a lengthy injury layoff.
Munster will persist with a 6-2 forward-to-back split on the bench, with Jack O’Donoghue returning after two months out and young prospect Ruadhan Quinn also named among the replacements.
Saturday’s clash represents both a test of squad depth and resilience, as Munster looks to solidify its top-8 status before a trip to Cardiff next weekend.
How To Watch Munster Vs. Vodacom Bulls
Munster Vs. Bulls Lineups
Munster
Thaakir Abrahams, Seán O’Brien, Tom Farrell, Alex Nankivell, Andrew Smith, Jack Crowley, Craig Casey, Josh Wycherley, Niall Scannell, Oli Jager, Jean Kleyn, Tadhg Beirne (CAPT), Tom Ahern, Peter O’Mahony, Alex Kendellen
Replacements: Lee Barron, Mark Donnelly, Stephen Archer, Fineen Wycherley, Jack O’Donoghue, Conor Murray, Diarmuid Kilgallen, Ruadhán Quinn
Vodacom Bulls
Devon Williams, Sebastian de Klerk, David Kriel, Harold Vorster, Canan Moodie, Johan Goosen, Embrose Papier, Jan-hendrik Wessels, Akker van der Merwe, Wilco Louw, Cobus Wiese, Ruan Nortje (CAPT), Marcell Coetzee, Jannes Kirsten, Cameron Hanekom
Replacements: Johann Grobbelaar, Simphiwe Matanzima, Mornay Smith, JF van Heerden, Nizaam Carr, Zak Burger, Keagan Johannes, Stravino Jacobs
Referee: Andrea Piardi (FIR, 51st league game)
AR 1: Andrew Cole (IRFU) AR 2: Sam Holt (IRFU)
TMO: Stefano Roscini (FIR)
United Rugby Championship Table
Leinster - W: 13, L: 1, D: 0, PD: 196, B: 10, Pts: 62
Glasgow Warriors - W: 10, L: 4, D: 0, PD: 174, B: 14, Pts: 54
Pretoria Bulls - W: 10, L: 4, D: 0, PD: 109, B: 10, Pts: 50
Durban Sharks - W: 9, L: 5, D: 0, PD: 2, B: 9, Pts: 45
Munster - W: 7, L: 7, D: 0, PD: -4, B: 11, Pts: 39
Ulster - W: 7, L: 7, D: 0, PD: -17, B: 9, Pts: 37
Benetton - W: 7, L: 6, D: 1, PD: -62, B: 6, Pts: 36
Edinburgh - W: 6, L: 8, D: 0, PD: 25, B: 12, Pts: 36
Cardiff Rugby - W: 6, L: 7, D: 1, PD: -56, B: 10, Pts: 36
Cape Town Stormers - W: 6, L: 8, D: 0, PD: -13, B: 11, Pts: 35
Scarlets - W: 6, L: 7, D: 1, PD: 20, B: 7, Pts: 33
Ospreys - W: 6, L: 7, D: 1, PD: -13, B: 7, Pts: 33
Connacht - W: 5, L: 9, D: 0, PD: -28, B: 13, Pts: 33
Johannesburg Lions - W: 6, L: 8, D: 0, PD: -36, B: 6, Pts: 30
Zebre - W: 5, L: 9, D: 0, PD: -112, B: 7, Pts: 27
Dragons - W: 1, L: 13, D: 0, PD: -185, B: 5, Pts: 9
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