The odds are stacking up against Axel and his Munster men
Injuries have forced Anthony Foley to select Cork Con prop John Ryan for his first ever Champions Cup start. Injuries to Dave Kilcoyne and James Cronin mean the 26-year-old, who has two previous European substitute appearances to his name, will be thrown in from the start at Stade Marcel Michelin as Munster seek to avenge their 16-9 defeat to the French side last Saturday.
Foley has named Andrew Conway on the wing for the tough away date with Johne Murphy covering the bench. Gerhard van den Heever misses out through injury. Andrew Smith is fit again and takes his place in Munster’s midfield alongside JJ Hanrahan.
Munster XV: Felix Jones; Andrew Conway, Andrew Smith, JJ Hanrahan, Simon Zebo; Ian Keatley, Conor Murray; John Ryan, Duncan Casey, BJ Botha; Dave Foley, Paul O’Connell; Peter O’Mahony (c), Tommy O’Donnell, CJ Stander.
Replacements: Kevin O’Byrne, Eusebio Guinazu, Stephen Archer, Billy Holland, Robin Copeland, Duncan Williams, Denis Hurley, Johne Murphy.
Injuries enforced a few changes in the Ulster line-up for their meeting with Scarlets on Sunday. Nick Williams and Stuart McCloskey miss out with Roger Wilson and Luke Marshall coming in. Declan Fitzpatrick starts in place of the injured Wiehahn Herbst.
Try-scorers from last week, Darren Cave, Tommy Bowe, Ruan Pienaar and Rory Best are all fit and feature in the starting fifteen.
Ulster XV: L Ludik; T Bowe, D Cave, L Marshall, C Gilroy, I Humphreys, R Pienaar; C Black, R Best (c), D Fitzpatrick, D Tuohy, F vd Merwe, R Diack, C Ross, R Wilson.
Replacements: R Herring, A Warwick, B Ross, A O’Connor, M McComish, P Marshall, M Heaney, M Allen.
