Rugby

Rassie Erasmus names Munster XV for Pro 14 opener

Tyler Bleyendaal captains province for their clash with Benetton Treviso in Cork

Tyler Bleyendaal captains Munster against Treviso. Photograph: Bryan Keane/Inpho

Thu Aug 31 2017 - 13:05

Munster v Benetton Treviso, Musgrave Park, Friday September 1st (7.35ko)

Outgoing Munster director of rugby Rassie Erasmus has named his starting XV for Friday night’s Pro 14 opener against Benetton Treviso.

The province are without some big names as their domestic season gets underway in Cork - however Tyler Bleyendaal captains the side from outhalf.

Andrew Conway starts the match at 15, while Chris Farrell makes his competitive debut for the province alongside Jaco Taute in midfield.

READ MORE

In the forwards Jean Kleyn starts in the engine room with Billy Holland, while Tommy O’Donnell and Jack O’Donoghue are joined in the back row by academy graduate and Pro 14 debutant Sean O’Connor.

Munster: Andrew Conway, Darren Sweetnam, Chris Farrell, Jaco Taute, Alex Wootton; Tyler Bleyendaal (captain), Duncan Williams; Liam O'Connor, Rhys Marshall, Stephen Archer; Jean Kleyn, Billy Holland; Sean O'Connor, Tommy O'Donnell, Jack O'Donoghue. Replacements: Mike Sherry, Brian Scott, Ciaran Parker, Fineen Wycherley, Robin Copeland, James Hart, Ian Keatley, Dan Goggin.

Treviso: Ian McKinley, Angelo Esposito, Tommaso Benvenuti, Tommaso Allan, Edoardo Gori, Marty Banks, Tito Tebaldi, Federico Zani, Luca Bigi, Simone Ferrari, Dean Budd (C), Marco Lazzaroni, Francesco Minto, Sebastian Negri,Whetu Douglas. Replacements: Engjel Makelara, Cherif Traore, Marco Riccioni, Federico Ruzza, Abraham Steyn, Giorgio Bronzini, Alberto Sgarbi, Andrea Buondonno

LATEST STORIES