Munster’s Stephen Fitzgerald targets winning debut against Ospreys

Ireland Under-20 international Stephen Fitzgerald will make his Guinness Pro12 debut, a prospect to whet the appetite for those who saw him play for the age-grade national side last season.

Fitzgerald is a talented, young player and it’s nice to see him get an opportunity, sharing the milestone with former Wallaby Mark Chisholm and a brace of New Zealanders in Tyler Bleyendaal and Francis Saili, who also make their first starts in the Pro12.

Ring rust

Bleyendaal came on in the 55th minute of Munster’s victory over Treviso last week, when the Irish province struggled a little to shake off the ring rust of pre-season.

Anthony Foley has made eight changes, two of which are in the frontrow with the return of internationals Dave Kilcoyne and Stephen Archer, who will make his 99th appearance for the province .

Chisholm packs down with Dave Foley, while Robin Copeland starts at number eight with CJ Stander dropping to the bench. The latter is replaced as captain by Felix Jones, who returns at fullback while Saili has completed all the return-to-play protocols following the head injury he sustained in pre-season.

Hooker Duncan Casey makes the match squad, as does former Leinster rugby academy and Ireland Under-19 cricket international Jordan Coghlan.

Ospreys were disappointed with their performance in defeat to Ulster and have an added incentive as they will honour their former player, the late All Black Jerry Collins, who was tragically killed in a car crash earlier this year in France. They have retired the number six jersey for the day.

Emotional

Ospreys coach Steve Tandy said: “It’s going to be an emotional afternoon with the tribute to Jerry so we need to make sure that we channel that emotion in the right way and show the true Ospreys spirit, the spirit typified by JC.

“It’s important we put on the kind of performance that will make our supporters and Jerry proud.”