Keith Earls returns to Munster side for Edinburgh clash

Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus has made five personnel changes for Saturday’s match

Munster’s Tyler Blyendaal in training ahead of their Pro12 clash with Edinburgh. Photo: Morgan Treacy/Inpho
Munster’s Tyler Blyendaal in training ahead of their Pro12 clash with Edinburgh. Photo: Morgan Treacy/Inpho

Munster Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus has made five personnel changes for tomorrow's Guinness Pro12 encounter against Edinburgh at Thomond Park (kick off: 7.35pm) with centre Cian Bohane in line to make his first competitive start for the province.

Bohane’s inclusion in the starting XV sees the Corkman form a brand new centre partnership with returning international Keith Earls who has made a speedy recovery from the tight hamstring that saw him withdrawn from last weekend’s encounter in Newport.

Elsewhere, Dave Kilcoyne will make his first start of the season in the front row while the return of Dave O’Callaghan at 6 sees captain Billy Holland – the Pro12’s leading tackler to date – revert to the second row.

The final change comes in the back three with Ian Keatley to start at full back.

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Should he appear from the bench, recent academy graduate and Ireland Men’s 7s representative Alex Wotton will make his first competitive appearance.

Successfully rehabbing a neck injury, Stephen Archer is included in the matchday squad for the first time this season.

MUNSTER: Ian Keatley; Darren Sweetnam, Keith Earls, Cian Bohane, Ronan O'Mahony; Tyler Bleyendaal, Conor Murray; Dave Kilcoyne, Niall Scannell, John Ryan; Jean Kleyn, Billy Holland (C); Dave O'Callaghan, Jack O'Donoghue, CJ Stander.

Replacements: Duncan Casey, James Cronin, Stephen Archer, Donnacha Ryan, Conor Oliver, Duncan Williams, Dan Goggin, Alex Wootton.