Patience, grasshopper
Anthony Foley is not willing to throw the attacking sink at Saracens yet as he replaces JJ Hanrahan with Denis Hurley in the Munster midfield. Axel has also selected Duncan Williams for his first ever European Cup start as Conor Murray was unable to recover from last weekend’s neck injury.
There is a boost up front as James Cronin returns to the loose-head position. Dave Foley partners Paul O’Connell in the second row while Peter O’Mahony and Tommy O’Donnell start at blindside and openside. In-form CJ Stander gets the No.8 jersey.
Williams is joined in the half-back line with Simon Zebo and Andrew Conway on the wings at Felix Jones at fullback. The Munster midfield is Hurley at inside centre and Pat Howard alongside him.
Following two December losses to Clermont, Munster need to beat Sarries and knock Sale over at Thomond Park in their final pool game. Foley’s men prevailed, 14-3, when the sides met in Limerick, last October.
MUNSTER XV: Jones; Conway, Howard, Hurley, Zebo; Keatley, Williams; Cronin, Casey, Botha; Foley, O’Connell; O’Mahony (c), O’Donnell, Stander.
Replacements: Guinazu, J. Ryan, Archer, Holland, Dave O’Callaghan, JJ Hanrahan, R. O’Mahony, Earls.
