Munster welcome back six players for trip to Paris

Anthony Foley has the likes of Conor Murray and Keith Earls available for Stade Francais

Andrew Conway is one of six changes made to the Munster team for Saturday’s game. Photograph: Cathal Noonan/Inpho
Andrew Conway is one of six changes made to the Munster team for Saturday’s game. Photograph: Cathal Noonan/Inpho

Munster head coach Anthony Foley has made six changes to his side for their rescheduled Champions Cup Round Two encounter against Stade Francais at the Stade Jean Bouin on Saturday.

In a further boost to the squad that beat Ulster last weekend, Dave Foley, Keith Earls, Conor Murray and Andrew Conway have all overcome their respective knocks to take their place in the starting fifteen.

In an unchanged front row Dave Kilcoyne, Mike Sherry and BJ Botha all remain in situ while in the second row Foley resumes his partnership with Mark Chisholm. The final change in the pack sees Robin Copeland come back in to join Tommy O’Donnell and captain CJ Stander in the back row with O’Donnell making his first European appearance of the season.

Murray re-joins Ian Keatley in the half backs with Simon Zebo and Earls returning to the left and right wings respectively, while Rory Scannell and Francis Saili again form the midfield pairing.

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Following on from Wednesday’s session in Limerick, Tyler Bleyendaal reported some quad tightness and was unavailable for squad selection.

Munster: Andrew Conway; Keith Earls, Francis Saili, Rory Scannell, Simon Zebo; Ian Keatley, Conor Murray; Dave Kilcoyne, Mike Sherry, BJ Botha; Dave Foley, Mark Chisholm; Robin Copeland, Tommy O'Donnell, CJ Stander - captain.

Replacements: Niall Scannell, John Ryan, Mario Sagario, Billy Holland, Jack O'Donoghue, Tomás O'Leary, Denis Hurley, Ronan O'Mahony.