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Irish Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Sharks v Munster LIVE coverage of the URC quarter-final from Durban
Hello and welcome to our live coverage of Munster's mission to the Shark Tank with a place in the last four of the URC at stake. Munster last played at Kings Park at the end of October, when they conceded over 40 points and Graham Rowntree's reign ended in the aftermath. New boss Clayton McMillan will come on board in July and, since Rowntree's departure, Ian Costello has been in the hot-seat. The Reds had to scramble to make the play-offs - thus securing Champions Cup rugby for next season - but they have impressed in doing so when the pressure was on. However this afternoon's encounter in Durban represents a step-up against a side that finished third in the URC table having lost just twice at home this season - to Toulouse in the Champions Cup and to Leinster in the URC. John Plumtree has picked a side with 12 Springboks in the starting line-up, including Siya Kolisi and skipper Eben Etzebeth, but Munster have been able to pick the same team for the third successive game for the first time in eight seasons. That should ensure a cohesive performance for the Reds, who will look to their title-winning run-in two seasons ago for inspiration as they look to upset the odds in the humidity and at altitude. Expect another big performance from Peter O'Mahony - who is again in last-game of his Munster career territory - and also from the newly-crowned RPI Players' Player of the Year Tadhg Beirne, while Jack Crowley winning his battle to be fit after a rib injury is a boost to the province.
Irish Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Munster team v Sharks as side named for URC quarter-final
Munster have named an unchanged side for the third game in succession as they compete for a place in the URC semi-finals. Out-half Jack Crowley has been passed fit to start against the Sharks in Durban after suffering a rib injury in the final regular season victory over Benetton a fortnight ago. Rory Scannell is included among the replacements and is poised for his 200th appearance for the Reds, the 16th player to reach that milestone for the province. The back three comprises of Thaaakir Abrahams, Calvin Nash and Diarmuid Kilgallen, the centre partnership is Alex Nankivell and Tom Farrell, who is an ever-present this season, while Craig Casey and Crowley are the half-backs. Michael Milne, Niall Scannell and Stephen Archer are in the front row, Jean Kleyn and Tadhg Beirne, the team captain who was this week named as the RPI Players' Player of the Year, make up the second row while Peter O'Mahony, John Hodnett and Gavin Coombes are in the back row. The Sharks have 12 Springboks in a starting line-up that has five changes from their last win over the Scarlets. Siya Kolisi, who has returned from a rest period, while Lukhanyo Am is fit again after an arm injury. Jordan Hendrikse is also back in the side at No.10. Munster: Thaakir Abrahams, Calvin Nash, Tom Farrell, Alex Nankivell, Diarmuid Kilgallen, Jack Crowley, Craig Casey; Michael Milne, Niall Scannell, Stephen Archer, Jean Kleyn, Tadhg Beirne (captain), Peter O'Mahony, John Hodnett, Gavin Coombes. Replacements: Diarmuid Barron, Josh Wycherley, John Ryan, Tom Ahern, Alex Kendellen, Conor Murray, Rory Scannell, Mike Haley. Sharks: Aphelele Fassi, Ethan Hooker, Lukhanyo Am, Andre Esterhuizen, Makazole Mapimpi, Jordan Hendrikse, Jaden Hendrikse, Ox Nche, Bongi Mbonambi, Vincent Koch, Eben Etzebeth (CAPT), Jason Jenkins, James Venter, Vincent Tshituka, Siya Kolisi Replacements: Fez Mbatha, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Hanro Jacobs, Emile van Heerden, Phepsi Buthelezi, Bradley Davids, Francois Venter, Yaw Penxe.
